MIAMI, Fla. – The FGCU softball team fell below the .500 mark for the first time this season, dropping two games to in-state rivals FIU, who received votes in two polls this week. The Eagles (21-23) fells in the first contest 3-1 before the Panthers (36-11) picked up a 4-1 win in the finale.
"Our players learned a lot today and our staff learned a lot from today," said head coach
David Deiros. "We've hit a few bumps in the road but if we can turn it around this weekend, we can get right back to where we were and string together some wins."
Brittany McGuire (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra HS) started the scoring in the opener with a solo shot in the fourth inning, but two runs in the bottom of the inning for FIU put the home side in front. FIU later added another in the fifth and FGCU could not come back, falling 3-1.
The Eagles once again took a lead in the second game, taking a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second only for the Panthers to respond once again. A run in the second, two in the third and another in the sixth pushed the final to 4-1.
GAME ONE: FIU 3, FGCU 1
After loading the bases in the second on two walks and a
Jeanie Verderese (Jacksonville, Fla./Creekside HS) single, the Eagles and Panthers entered the fourth inning scoreless while combining for just three hits. But McGuire changed that one swing, connecting on an 0-1 pitch and sending it over the wall in right center to put the Green and Blue in front 1-0.
Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) exited the game after three innings, conceding one hit and striking out four during that time. FIU scored two runs on one hit and two errors against new Eagles' pitcher
Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS), but the freshman settled in to limit the damage.
FIU however plated an insurance run in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead and the Eagles picked up two base runners over the final two innings for the 3-1 final.
Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) picked up two hits from the lead off spot to lead the Eagles while White (2-4) suffered the loss allowing two earned runs on two hits.
GAME TWO: FIU 4, FGCU 1
FGCU didn't need four innings to score the game's first run in Game Two, instead the Eagles grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second, taking advantage of a Panther error that allowed McGuire to cross the plate.
FIU however would tie the game in the bottom half and tacked on two more in the third to grab a 3-1 lead.
FGCU had a chance to at least cut into the putting two runners on with just one away, but a fly out and a strikeout ended the frame.
The Panthers added one final run in the bottom of the sixth before closing out the game in the seventh.
Taylor Wade (Pace, Fla./Pace HS) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on five hits while walking five.
UP NEXT
The Eagles turn their attention back to conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Kennesaw State.
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information on the FGCU softball program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_Softball and Instagram at fgcusoftball and stay tuned at FGCUAthletics.com.
COACH DEIROS
The founding father of FGCU softball,
David Deiros recently enters his 15th season as head coach. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to 11 seasons with a winning record, eight campaigns with 35 wins and a win percentage of .669 (561-286-3). Deiros is a former head coach at the 1998 Florida State Runner-up Lely High School in Naples and is the founding head coach of the 1999 District Champion/2001 Regional Runner-up Gulf Coast High School in Naples.
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
