Victoria Ash delivered a gem in the circle, going six scoreless in a start against Stetson in DeLand, Fla. as Florida Gulf Coast University softball took the second game of the doubleheader 2-0 after dropping the opening game 9-0.
Ash, who transferred to FGCU from Stetson, was pitching for the first time at her hold stomping grounds. The sophomore pitcher pitch six shutout innings before
Allison Sparkman came on in the seventh to record the save, immediately getting a double play and securing the win for the Eagles.
The Eagles got the scoring going early, when team RBI leader
Maddox Thomas put a ball far enough into right field to allow
Avery Viancos' speed to shine and get FGCU on the board.
The Green and Blue added a run in the fourth when Thomas singled.
Kalista Birkenstock pinch ran and stole second.
Emily Chiarella stepped up to the plate and slapped a ball over the infield that allowed Birkenstock to fly home for the second run and eventual 2-0 win.
It was the seventh game that FGCU pitching hasn't walked anyone this year. The 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship team had four during their historic campaign.
The first game of the day saw a run-rule win for the Hatters. Stetson put up a three-run third inning on many balls that remained in the infield, but couldn't find their way to an out.
The Eagles didn't score in the game but Chiarella went 2-for-2 in the game to round out her 4-for-5 performance on the day.
The Green and Blue will return to action on Sunday in the rubber match against the Hatters.
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