JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The FGCU softball team (33-14, 7-5 ASUN) ended the weekend on a dominating note as the Eagles downed Jacksonville (23-24, 4-7 ASUN) 8-1 Sunday afternoon at the Pruitt Softball Complex.

"A masterful outing from Morgan set the tone for the day," said head coach David Deiros. "Once we tied the game in the second, we knew we were in good shape. Big two-out RBI extra-base hits from LuLu and Haley put the game away. Always tough to win on the road, especially in the ASUN, so great job by our team."

Tied 1-1 after two innings of softball, the Eagles broke out with a four-run third highlighted by LuLu Newmark stepping in as a pinch-hitter and connecting on a triple that cleared the bases. FGCU would plate one in the fifth and two in the seventh en route to the 8-1 triumph.

JU struck first in the bottom of the first keeping its inning alive on an FGCU error which saw a run come across with a single to center. In the very next frame, Farley Callaghan (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra HS) laced a leadoff double to right-center and pinch-runner Emily Demurias would later score on a sac bunt from freshman Haley Morrell (Tampa, Fla./Academy of Holy Names).

In the third, the offense for the Green and Blue broke out using two extra-base hits to jump ahead 5-1. After Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) doubled – 10th of the year – she later came around home on an error. Three batters later that saw a walk load the bags, Newmark (Pembroke Pines, Fla./American Heritage HS/Bowling Green) drove a pinch-hit triple to center, clearing the bases to cap the scoring.

Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS) then went to work. After the sophomore gave up a hit in the first, that's all Jacksonville would get as White fanned seven batters after FGCU's top half of the third, stranding none on board.

For added insurance, the Eagles tacked on one in the fifth and two more in the seventh thanks to a two-run double from Morrell to secure the three-game road sweep.

In her first complete game of the season, White (8-2) fanned a total of nine Dolphins allowing no walks with one run (unearned).

Callaghan finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles as Morrell and Newmark recorded three RBI apiece.

UP NEXT
FGCU stays on the road and will head to Lipscomb (29-13, 8-6 ASUN) next weekend for a three-game series starting Saturday, April 28 at 5 p.m. (DH).

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 606-312-3 (.665) 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.