FORT MYERS, Fla. – With a bulk of its non-conference schedule nearly concluded, the FGCU softball team (25-6) will open conference play this weekend with a three-game series against Stetson beginning Saturday at 2 p.m. The finale will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m.

IN THE POLLS
In the latest installment of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top-25, the Eagles joined USC Upstate as one of two teams from the ASUN receiving votes.

To view the complete poll, click here.

WHITEOUT
Fans are encouraged to wear white to Saturday's conference-opening doubleheader as the first 100 fans will receive a 'Stomp Stetson' rally towel.

THE GREEN AND BLUE
The Eagles are coming off a doubleheader split against Marshall this past Wednesday claiming a comeback 4-3 victory in game one then fell in the second match 8-4 as the Thundering Herd posted a seven-run seventh to complete their comeback win. Of FGCU's 25 wins, 14 have come at the FGCU Softball Complex against just one loss at home.

The top of the order has propelled the FGCU offense as of late as the top three batters enter conference play with at least a .310 average. Leading the pack is Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) who has driven in 23 runs this season behind her .356 average. In the opening contest against Marshall, Fournet drove in all four of the Eagle's runs to go along with her third homer as her single in the seventh gave FGCU the walk-off win. Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) provides a different threat swiping 16 bases to go along with her .310 average.

FGCU continues to get quality production from its pitching staff as three pitchers all boast an ERA that ranks inside the top-37 in the nation. Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS) leads the Green and Blue with a 1.22 ERA while Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) has notched 10 wins for the Eagles.

RPI WATCH
After coming off a 4-1 trip in Clearwater, Fla., it was announced Monday morning in the NCAA's first softball 2018 RPI rankings that the Eagles are ranked #42 in the nation. FGCU leads a total of five ASUN members that landed a spot in the top-80 as Lipscomb (56), Kennesaw State (63), USC Upstate (71) and UNF (79) rounded out the RPI top-80. At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the ASUN boasted the 5th highest conference RPI, at one point being ranked as high as 4th in the nation. 

To view the complete RPI rankings, click here.

SCOUTING THE HATTERS
One of five ASUN teams to produce 20 wins through the first six weeks, the Hatters feature one of the best run producers in the ASUN in Ashly Smith. The junior is batting .468 with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs. Not to be overlooked, Molly McLaughlin and Maggie Fritts have produced 26 and 23 RBIs, respectively.

Tori Perkins leads the Hatters' pitching staff with a 2.28 ERA and 12 wins. The entire rotation holds sub-three ERA and is holding batters to a .257 average.

FGCU trails the all-time series versus the Hatters 13-17 as the Eagles have claimed the last three of four games, outscoring the Hatters 23-5 while going 9-1 overall at home.  

UP NEXT
FGCU will hit the road and head to Spartanburg, S.C. to take on RV USC Upstate (19-9) on Friday, Mar. 30 starting with the first doubleheader game at 4 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 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 598-304-3 (.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.