KENNESAW, Ga. – The FGCU softball team (17-12, 3-0 ASUN) completed its three-game road sweep of Kennesaw State (17-17, 2-4 ASUN) Sunday afternoon in a 5-2 victory at Bailey Park.
"It was a great way to open up the conference season," said head coach
David Deiros. "A gutsy performance from our team the entire weekend as we look forward to our ASUN home-opener next Saturday."
Both teams exchanged runs in the first inning as FGCU scored using an error with two outs. Senior
Racquel Fournet (Windermere, FL./Windermere Preparatory School) reached on a miscue at second, as freshman
Reedy Davenport (St. Johns, FL./Bartram Trail HS) doubled to put runners at second and third. Following a walk from junior
Mikenzie Vaughn (Kennesaw, GA./Florida Southwestern), Fournet would score on a passed ball.
After a scoreless second frame, Fournet made it 2-1 in the third with a solo home run off the KSU scoreboard in right, her first of the season. One inning later, sophomore pinch-hitter
Taylor Bauman (Jacksonville, FL./Atlantic Coast HS) walked with two away as sophomore
Farley Callaghan (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL./Ponte Vedra HS) roped an RBI double to right-center for the 3-1 advantage.
KSU answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth but FGCU received some insurance in the seventh, tallying two runs on one hit and two errors. Bauman and sophomore
Ahnie Jumper (Clewiston, FL./Plantation American Heritage) were both on board and moved into scoring position thanks to a sac bunt from freshman
McKenna Batterton (Norco, CA./Eleanor Roosevelt HS). On the next play, KSU attempted a pickoff attempt over to third but the relay throw back home was mishandled by the third baseman, allowing both runners to score.
The Owls threatened in the final inning bringing the tying run to the plate but starting senior pitcher
Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, FL./Northeast HS) forced a grounder over to first for the final out. It becomes Randolph's (13-5) 14th complete game in 18 appearances as she finished with five strikeouts.
In the process, Randolph became FGCU's all-time leader in most innings pitched, surpassing Rachael Edinger for the top spot.
Callaghan (1-for-2) and Fournet (1-for-3, HR) each finished with one RBI apiece.
Most Innings Pitched All-Time
1. 643.1 – Riley Randolph - 2016-present
2. 638.1 – Rachael Edinger - 2006-08
3. 583.1 – Shelby Morgan - 2012-15
4. 474.0 – Catherine McDaniel. - 2009-11
5. 454.1 – Dana Frantz - 2006-09
6. 444.2 – Kelly Powe - 2004-05
7. 399.2 – Amanda Josie - 2011-14
8. 350.0 – Taylor Wade - 2014-17
9. 243.0 – Nicole Werhner - 2003-04
10. 238.0 – Morgan Campen - 2008-12
Up Next
FGCU will welcome conference favorite Liberty (19-13, 3-3 ASUN) for a three-game series, starting with a doubleheader at 2 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 30. The series finale Sunday afternoon is slated for a 1 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 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 627-326-3 (.657), going 142-84 (.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 35 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.
