FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Riley Oakes hit her first collegiate home run on Saturday when she blasted a ball over the right field wall for the deciding runs of the game.
Oakes hit the home run in honor of her friend, Alexis Buchman, who was having her celebration of life today. "I knew when I was stepping out on the field today it was her celebration of life so I was going to step out and play for her," Oakes said. "If she was here she'd be playing her heart out. I had the opportunity to play for her and I did exactly that. I didn't take it for granted any at bat."
After splitting the doubleheader on Friday, FGCU was looking to secure the series win on Saturday against Lipscomb, doing just that to the tune of a 5-1 victory.
The Green and Blue fell behind early but
Tiffany Meek brought it back level with a single through the right side.
The usual strong pitching for the Eagles showed itself again.
Ally Hulme got the start and only allowed one run. The rest of the staff came in to pick up the remaining five innings only allowing three runners to reach base.
Claire Maulding pitched five innings over the course of the weekend only allowing one base runner.
In the fifth, with two runners on, Oakes stepped up to the plate. She had never hit a home run in college but with a little help from a dear friend, she blasted a ball over the right field wall, giving the Green and Blue a 4-1 lead.
Sophie Wylie would add another run with an RBI in the sixth, finishing off the 6-1 victory for the Eagles.
Up next is two road series, first against the University of North Alabama on April 6.
