Florida Gulf Coast University softball traveled to Florence, Ala. on Saturday to face the University of North Alabama Lions in a matchup of top four ASUN teams. The Eagles swept the proceedings with wins by scores of 2-1 and 6-3.
This matchup promised to be a pitching duel and Eagles pitching continued to deal from the circle.
Angelina Bonilla got the start in the first game going six complete and posting a career-best nine strikeouts.
Claire Maulding was the starter in the second game, also going six full, only allowing two runs to cross.
Neely Peterson was not fazed by the presumptive pitching proficiency of the Lions going 3-for-7 with a double and a home run and four RBI.
FGCU 2, UNA 1
The first game started as everyone expected, with pitching reigning supreme. Bonilla got the start in this game and showed her impressive pitch mix keeping batters consistently off balance, striking on nine in the game.
When the Lions were able to make contact, the ball was mostly either weekly hit to the infield or foul.
Nikki Gibson snagged one of those foul balls on a full sprint in the third to make the over the shoulder grab.
The game remained scoreless through the sixth when Peterson blasted a ball over the wall in left center to give the Eagles the 2-0 lead.
Maulding would come on for the save to secure the win for the Green and Blue, 2-1.
FGCU 6, UNA 3
The second game started with Maulding coming right back out to the circle for the start after securing the save in game one. Maulding would pitch the first six innings of this game without allowing a run, going seven consecutive innings against the Lions only allowing two hits.
Much like the first game, the Eagles got hot in the sixth inning sparked by a Peterson extra base hit. With the bases loaded, Peterson drove a ball over the right fielder's head to bring home two runs.
Nikki Gibson followed up with a beautiful sacrifice bunt that allowed
Riley Oakes to score from third and move Peterson up a base.
Tiffany Meek continued the scoring with an RBI triple that found the gap. Then
Avery Viancos came up to the plate and drew a walk before stealing second.
Meagan Ricks came up to the plate and ripped a liner into center field. With the speedy Viancos rounding third, the center fielder took her eyes off the ball, didn't field it cleanly and couldn't make a play on the sixth Eagles run.
Up next for the Green and Blue is the series finale in Oxford, Ala.
