Florida Gulf Coast University softball opened up the USF Tournament in Tampa, Fla. with a win against Georgia Southern, 2-1. McKenzie Wittenberg scored twice on the day and swiped two bags.

In the second game on the day, the Eagles fell to Villanova, 4-1.

FGCU 2, Georgia Southern 1

Allison Sparkman got the start for the Green and Blue riding a 17-inning scoreless streak. Sparkman gave up her first run in her past six appearances 4.1 innings into this game bringing her scoreless inning streak to an end at 21.1 innings.

The 21.1 innings scoreless streak was the longest by an FGCU freshman since Riley Randolph went 26.1 scoreless innings in 2016.

Wittenberg got the action going for the Green and Blue in the second when she took second for free, advanced to third on a Tiffany Meek single, and came around to score the first run of the game on an Emily Chiarella single.

Wittenberg continued the offensive showcase when she doubled down the left field line before taking third and coming home on a sacrifice fly by Nikki Gibson.

FGCU pitching was stellar once again with Ally Hulme coming in relief of Sparkman, pitching a scoreless outing before handing the ball to Angelina Bonilla who secured her fifth save of the season. Bonilla boasts a 0.339 ERA in relief appearances this year.

FGCU 1, Villanova 4

The second game of the day saw the Eagles fall to Villanova, 4-1. 

Neely Peterson recorded her team-leading seventh RBI on the season in the third when she singled home Chiarella.

Olivia Black swiped her second bag of the season after a lead off walk to start the game.

Up next for the Eagles is the final game of the USF Tournament against the 1-13 Central Michigan Chippewas.  Read Full Article