CLEARWATER, Fla. – The FGCU softball team (24-5) capped off the weekend going 4-1 overall claiming a 6-2 victory over Princeton (1-13) on the last day of the Clearwater Invite Sunday afternoon at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

"Really nice team win to end the weekend," stated head coach David Deiros. "We played well in all facets, I thought we pitched it well and we played some good defense when Princeton put some good pressure on us. I also thought we hit the ball hard all over the field today which really made a difference for us. Great way to end the weekend, we're ready for a couple of good mid-week games and see if we can get ready for our first conference tilts."

The game remained scoreless through two innings until FGCU broke out the contest in its top half of the third with four runs. Princeton pressed on the back heels of the Eagles but would only get as close as two runs as FGCU added insurance in the sixth en route to the 6-2 final.

Kate Kelly (Cape Coral, Fla./North Ft. Myers/Seminole State) led the third laying down a well-placed bunt along the first base line. Two batters later, Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) scalded a triple down the right field line making it a 1-0 game. After Brittany McGuire (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra HS) drew a walk, Brooke Clemens (West Rotunda, Fla./Lemon Bay HS/Florida) made it a 3-0 contest lacing a double to right- center. Not over just yet, this time Erica Ward (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy/Seminole State College) matched Clemens with an RBI double of her own to cap off the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers threatened and did most of their damage using an error along with four hits to push two runners across cutting the deficit down to 4-2.

Looking to add more insurance, the Green and Blue manufactured two runs on two hits in the top of the sixth to pull away. Back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bags for McGuire as the senior skied a deep fly ball near the fence allowing two Eagles to tag up and come across home plate.

Princeton attempted a comeback but the Tigers would stand four runners over the next two innings as the Eagles' defense stood firm and eliminated any possibility to secure the 6-2 triumph.
 
In the circle starting pitcher, Marissa Mesiemore (Bushnell, Fla./South Sumter HS) tossed 3.2 innings and surrendered five hits on two runs (one earned).  Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS came in for relief and was effective in her 1.1 innings scattering no hits while Taylor Bauman (Jacksonville, Fla./Atlantic Coast HS) worked the final two frames scattering three hits.

In the offensive outburst, FGCU manufactured 10 hits led by Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) with three as two more Eagles tallied two apiece. McGuire and Clemens registered two RBI in the process.

UP NEXT
FGCU faces a quick turnaround as it welcomes Buffalo at 5 p.m. for a doubleheader Tuesday followed by two more games with Marshall on Wednesday.

 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 is in his 16th season as head coach. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to a 597-303-3 (.660) overall mark, 12 seasons with a winning record, and eight campaigns with 35 wins. 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.