FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU softball team swept the visiting USF Bulls in a midweek doubleheader Wednesday night to improve to a program-record 6-0 start. After defeating the Bulls (4-3) in game one 1-0, the Eagles claimed the second game 4-1.

"Those were two really good softball games and it really came down us making sure we stayed within our plan and remained focus the entire time," said head coach David Deiros. "Proud of our kids, our entire pitching staff and we came up with big hits when we needed them. USF is an excellently coached and athletic ball club, great two wins for us but we still have more work to do."

In game one of the afternoon, runs were at a premium between the two in-state rivals as FGCU used an RBI double from Brooke Clemens (West Rotunda, Fla./Lemon Bay HS/Florida) in the first to score the only run between both squads. After a dominant season-debut Sunday,  Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) needed only 84 pitches to work through the USF lineup, striking out three Bulls and scattering three hits.

In game two, each team scored a run apiece in the third inning and the game remained 1-1 until the sixth. With extra innings looming, the Eagles broke out with three runs, highlighted by a two-run blast from Ashley Swiderski (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS) to give FGCU the 4-1 lead and ultimately, the victory.

GAME ONE: FGCU 1, USF 0
In the bottom of the first, Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) got things started for the offense, reaching on an error before stealing second. Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) saw her patience pay off, drawing a walk to put the pressure early on USF. Two batters later, Clemens roped a liner that reached the wall in left to score Huff.

From there on, starting pitcher Randolph (2-0) took over in the circle. The junior allowed hits in the first, fifth, and sixth innings to keep the Bulls offense off the board. In the process, Randolph collected her first complete game of the season.

GAME TWO: FGCU 4, USF 1
Scoreless after two innings the visiting Bulls would strike first in the third. The lead would not last long as LuLu Newmark (Pembroke Pines, Fla./American Heritage HS/Bowling Green) gave the fans in the stands no doubt. Leading off the third, Newmark stepped into the box and launched a homer over the left field wall to knot the contest at one. It was Newmark's first homer of the season.

After four solid innings in the circle, Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS) exited the ball game allowing one run (unearned), scattered three hits while walking one. Marissa Mesiemore (Bushnell, Fla./South Sumter HS) was called upon in relief over the next two innings with the game still tied at one.

Facing the possibility of extra innings, the Eagles got off to a quick start in the sixth. After Brittany McGuire (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra HS) was hit by a pitch and substituted for a pinch runner, Swiderski picked an opportune time for her second homer of the year. On the first pitch, the senior hit a screamer off the bat as the ball ricocheted off the scoreboard to give FGCU a 3-1 lead. FGCU would tack on one more run to bump its lead 4-1.

Coming in for her fifth save in six days was Taylor Bauman (Jacksonville, Fla./Atlantic Coast HS). USF put two runners on with one out, but Bauman forced two grounders to slam the door on the visitors.

Mesiemore collected the win, moving to 3-0 while Bauman converted her fifth save in as many chances.

On offense, the Green and Blue totaled six hits, led by Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) with two.

UP NEXT
FGCU is back in action February 20, for a midweek doubleheader against Oakland (Mich.) at home. The first game is slated for a 5 p.m. start. 
 
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 16th season as head coach. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to 12 seasons with a winning record, eight campaigns with 35 wins and a win percentage of .659 (579-298-3). 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.