FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Claire Maulding took the ball to start the first game of the day against Akron, leading a stellar pitching performance en route to a 4-1 win and
Neely Peterson put a hard single in play to walk-off the final game of the FGCU Invitational against MTSU, 3-2.
"It felt great to get the walk-off," Peterson said. "I do everything for my team. I'm nothing without them. I feel them cheering behind me. It was pure grit and determination because all I wanted to do was get it done for my team."
FGCU 4, Akron 1
The day started for the Eagles with another exceptional pitching performance. Maulding took the mound first going four innings, only giving up two hits, no runs, and earning the win.
"During practice I've been working on staying in my legs and driving through," Maulding said. "I was excited to get out there to show I've improved and put it together for my teammates."
Maulding handed the ball over to
Ally Hulme who put in two innings of hitless softball before
Angelina Bonilla closed it out for the third time this season.
Cacha Estes proved to be the key cog in the FGCU offense as she singled in the second with
Camryn Feast coming in to pinch run and score. Estes would also lay down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to bring in
Meagan Ricks in the sixth.
"I've been talking with (Coach
David Deiros) and getting to know my own swing," Estes said. "I'm making sure my contact point is out in front and I land soft with my front foot." Estes became such a formidable threat that she was drawing intentional walks later on the day.
McKenzie Wittenberg continued to be the pinch hit extraordinaire with another clutch pinch hit appearance, driving in Peterson to secure the 4-1 victory.
FGCU 3, MTSU 2
The second game of the day saw winless Middle Tennessee State across the field. The Green and Blue wasted no time when
Riley Oakes drove in
Avery Viancos in the first inning.
Fort Myers native, grad transfer
Maria Angelino kept the scoring going in the second with her first home run of an Eagle.
"It felt good to get a home run on the field I grew up on and to put up run support for the pitching staff that has been working so hard," Angelino said.
This two run lead would eventually draw even before Peterson drove n the game winning run.
On the mound, the group of Hulme,
Marina Tinari, and Bonilla put up seven innings with no earned runs.
The final game of the FGCU Invitational, originally scheduled against Delaware, is canceled due to inclement weather. The next game for the Eagles will be against Washington on Tuesday.
