FORT MYERS, FL – The FGCU softball team (14-12) shutout Columbia (7-10) with a score of 6-0 Wednesday evening at the FGCU Softball Complex.
"That was a really nice efficient win and good springboard for us as we start conference play this weekend," head coach
David Deiros said. "We pitched very well tonight, threw a lot of strikes and didn't give up too many free passes. Our defense was pretty solid as we made a couple of plays, including the double play in the seventh. On offense we did a nice job of putting the ball in play and moving runners, so a great outing all around and we're looking forward to ASUN play at Kennesaw."
The scoring for the Eagles started right from the start. Senior
Kate Kelly (Cape Coral, FL./Seminole State College) led the top of the first with a single to left then advanced to second on a fielding error. The next batter, sophomore
Haley Morrell (Tampa, FL./Academy of Holy Names) brought Kelly in with a single up the middle. Shortly after, freshman
Reedy Davenport (St. Johns, FL./Bartram Trail HS) capped off the scoring roping another single to center for a 2-0 advantage after one.
Looking at one out in the bottom of the third, Davenport found herself on second base reaching on a fielder's choice then going to second on a wild pitch. This set up senior
Brooke Clemens (West Rotunda, FL./Florida) to connect on a base hit to left, bringing in Davenport.
Leading 3-0, FGCU posted a three-run fourth to pull away from Columbia. Sophomore
Farley Callaghan (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL./Ponte Vedra HS) began the inning with a knock to left and advanced to second on an error. The next batter, freshman
McKenna Batterton (Norco, CA./Eleanor Roosevelt HS) laid down a sac bunt as a fielding error by the Lions' infield was thrown into right field, bringing both runners across. Two batters later, Morrell doubled to left center and would tack on FGCU's sixth run off an RBI single from Davenport.
Columbia placed a runner on second in each of the final three innings, but a 5-3 double play on a lineout, highlighted the final frame as the defense preserved the shutout.
Starting senior pitcher
Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, FL./Northeast HS) tossed five innings, scattering six hits while fanning six Lions, moving to 11-5 with the victory. Sophomore
Marissa Mesiemore (Bushnell, FL./South Sumter HS) and junior
Morgan White (Ocala, FL./Forest HS) combined for the final two innings.
Davenport finished her night at the plate going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Up Next
FGCU will start ASUN play on the road this weekend facing the reigning regular season and tournament champion Kennesaw State (17-14). The doubleheader is slated to begin Saturday, Mar. 23, at 1 p.m. with the second game starting at 3 p.m. Sunday's finale will commence at 1 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 17th season as head coach. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to a 625-326-3 (.657), going 139-84 (.623) in the ASUN, having 13 seasons with a winning record, and nine 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.
#FEEDFGCU
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.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 75 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11+ seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 34 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best 6th-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the Spring, 2018 and had an ASUN Conference and State of Florida best five teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours – being recognized as one of two runner-ups for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
