FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU softball team (18-16, 3-3 ASUN) split two with cross-town rival FAU (16-18, 3-6 C-USA) winning game one, 3-2, before falling in the nightcap, 7-2.

"Tonight we did some really good things especially in preparation for our series this upcoming weekend against UNA but tonight we just really had one bad inning," said head coach David Deiros. "If we erase that, I'm pleased with the rest of our effort all the way around. We got to see a lot of people in different positions so I'm pretty satisfied with that."

FGCU 3 | FAU 2
After starting sophomore pitcher Marissa Mesiemore (Bushnell, FL./South Sumter HS) retired FAU's side in the top of the fourth, the Eagles gave her some run support in the bottom half. Back-to-back singles from junior Sammi Poehlman (Ormond Beach, FL./Daytona State) and sophomore Farley Callaghan (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL./Ponte Vedra HS) churned the offense for FGCU. A fly out from freshman McKenna Batterton (Norco, CA./Eleanor Roosevelt HS) moved both runners into scoring position as senior Kate Kelly (Cape Coral, FL./Seminole State College) hit a single to second to score Poehlman. A throwing error from the second baseman brought Callaghan home on the same play.

FAU responded with two runs of its own in the fifth, but the Eagles also answered in their half. Facing one out, freshman Reedy Davenport (St. Johns, FL./Bartram Trail HS) was plunked and then raced over to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, junior Mikenzie Vaughn (Kennesaw, GA./Florida Southwestern) stung a base hit to center for the 3-2 lead.

The visitors made some noise in the top of the seventh, placing the tying run on third, but a strikeout swinging and a grounder to short secured the 3-2 victory for the Green and Blue.

Mesiemore moves to .500 (4-4) this season in the circle as she fanned six batters while scattering six hits, giving up two runs (one earned). Kelly capped off game one going 3-for-4 with one RBI.

FAU 7 | FGCU 2
Sophomore Haley Morrell (Tampa, FL./Academy of Holy Names) provided an immediate spark in game two, launching a two-run blast over the left-field wall for the quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. It was her fourth home run of the season. Following a scoreless second frame, FAU tacked on a run apiece in the third and fourth to tie the contest.

The Owls then broke the scoring open in the top of the fifth manufacturing five runs on five hits for the 7-2 margin. FGCU collected one hit in the sixth but would be retired in order in the final inning en route to the 3-2 loss.

Sophomore Taylor Bauman (Jacksonville, FL./Atlantic Coast HS) gets tagged with the loss after coming in relief of starting junior pitcher Morgan White (Ocala, FL./Forest HS) in the fifth, tossing 0.2 innings, yielding up four runs. Morrell finished the night going 2-for-4 with two RBI while Vaughn went 2-for-3.

Up Next
FGCU will hit the road for its third ASUN series of the year when they take on North Alabama (17-11, 3-3 ASUN) beginning with a doubleheader (3 & 5 p.m. EST) Saturday. Sunday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. EST first pitch. 

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 628-330-3 (.657), going 142-87 (.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.