FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader Saturday to #RV USC Upstate. The Eagles (21-18, 3-5 ASUN) fell to the Spartans (32-9, 5-3) in the opener before dropping the second game 3-0.

"It's one of those things where you have to give Upstate credit because when they needed to step up and make plays they did," said head coach David Deiros. "We had an opportunity to put a crooked number in game two and we didn't. The key for tomorrow is to stick to our game plan and to what we've prepared for."

A three-run home run off the bat of Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) nearly reversed the fortunes for FGCU in the first game. The sophomore pulled FGCU to within 4-3 in the fifth inning only for the visitors to get one run back in the sixth. FGCU loaded the bases in the seventh trailing 5-3 and plated one on a sacrifice fly but the rally fell short with FGCU falling 5-4.

A three-run third was too much to overcome for FGCU in the second game as the Eagles tallied just two hits in the contest. The Eagles had a chance to tie the game in the sixth, but left a pair on and ultimately fell 3-0.

GAME ONE: #RV USC Upstate 5, FGCU 4
A four-run second inning for USC Upstate put the Eagles in an early hole but the bats for FGCU started to pick up in the third.

Jeanie Verderese (Jacksonville, Fla./Creekside HS) picked up FGCU's first hit with one away in the third and Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) quickly picked up the second for the Eagles, putting runners at second and third following an error. After a strike out, Fournet was intentionally walked to load the bases. FGCU was unable to capitalize however and continued to trail 4-0.

The deficit remained four until the fifth as Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) settled in, allowing just an infield single in that time to give FGCU a chance to come back. Verderese led off the frame with her second base hit and Huff collected her second hit to put runners at first and second. Fournet then came up and with first base occupied, the Spartans chose to pitch to the sophomore. Fournet fouled off a 2-1 pitch before pulling a 2-2 offering down the line and over the wall to cut the gap to 4-3.

Upstate however got one of the runs back in the sixth, increasing the lead to 5-3, a run which proved to be crucial.

In the seventh, Fournet was walked intentionally once against to load the bases. Bri Innamorato (Mullica Hill, N.J./Bishop Eustace HS) drove in FGCU's fourth run on a sacrifice fly but the rally ended there for the Green and Blue.

Randolph (12-5) suffered the loss, conceding five runs on nine hits with five strikeouts.  

GAME TWO: #RV USC Upstate 3, FGCU 0
FGCU appeared to get off to a fast start in the first after Taylor Wade (Pace, Fla./Pace HS) worked a quick first. Huff led off the inning with a single and stole second, but the Eagles left runners at the corners to end the frame.

When the game reached the third, Upstate struck once again with a big inning, scoring three times to take a 3-0 lead.

The score remained 3-0 until the sixth when FGCU threatened to cut into the deficit. Verderese led off the inning with a single before she was replaced by Huff following a fielder's choice. After the junior moved to second on a ground out, Fournet was intentionally walked but both runners were left on the bases when the inning came to a close.
FGCU went down in order in the seventh, falling 3-0.

Wade (7-9) took the loss, striking out two over seven inning while allowing two earned runs.

UP NEXT
FGCU wraps up the three-game series tomorrow at 2 p.m. Senior Day is also scheduled for tomorrow with a pregame ceremony set for 1:40 p.m.

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 (563-285-3). 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.