MADEIRA BEACH, FL – The FGCU softball team (14-7) led by one run (5-4) entering the top of the seventh before
Taylor Bauman's three-run home helped the Eagles pull away, 8-5, over Loyola Chicago (11-6), Thursday afternoon.
"Our kids did a great job handing Loyola Chicago's late comeback attempt at the end to stave off the rally," said head coach
David Deiros. "Taylor came through for us in the seventh to give us the added insurance which proved to be the difference. Besides a few defensive mistakes, a great job all-around by everyone today."
FGCU wasted no time, posting a four-run top of the first. Back-to-back singles from
Johneisha Rowe (Avon Park, FL/Sebring HS) and
McKenna Batterton (Norco, CA/Eleanor Roosevelt HS) set up
Reedy Davenport (St. Johns, FL/Bartram Trail HS) for the two-run single to left-center.
Bauman (Jacksonville, FL/Atlantic Coast HS), who walked earlier, stood on third while Davenport stole second. Facing a pair of outs,
Haley Morrell (Tampa, FL/Academy of Holy Names) capped off the scoring roping a base-hit up the middle.
In the top of the third, Morrell came through once again with a single through the right-side scoring Davenport – singled and moved to second on a pass ball.
Loyola Chicago scored two runs apiece in the fourth and fifth innings to bring FGCU's lead down to one (5-4).
In the top of the seventh, the frame started with pair of singles from Batterton and
Mikenzie Vaughn (Kennesaw, GA/FSW/Harrison HS). With no outs, Bauman launched a 2-0 pitch over the center-field wall to give the Green and Blue an 8-4 cushion. It was the third home run of her career and the first of 2020.
Loyola Chicago scored an unearned run in the final frame as a pop fly to
Marissa Mesiemore (Bushnell, FL/South Sumter HS) sealed the victory for FGCU.
Starting pitcher
Sarah Lawton (Waterbury, CT/FSW/Holy Cross) tossed four innings scattering five hits while fanning three Ramblers, moving to 7-3 overall. Mesiemore garnered the save, making it the first of her Eagle career.
At the plate, Bauman (1-for-2) and Morrell (2-for-3) each finished with three RBI.
Up Next
FGCU faces South Dakota State Friday at 9 a.m. followed by Central Michigan at 11:30 a.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.
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COACH DEIROS
The founding father of FGCU softball, David Deiros is in his 18th season as head coach. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to a 656-344-3 (.657), going 147-90 (.620) 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.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 81 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12-plus seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just eight-plus seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including women's basketball (2019-20) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty-one consecutive semesters. The 2019 Fall semester saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher team GPA. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
