FORT MYERS, Fla. –
Emily Chiarella collects her 50th career stolen base in a 6-1 win for Florida Gulf Coast University softball over North Florida as the Eagles split the doubleheader on Friday, dropping the first game 3-0.
The first game saw Eagles (27-27, 14-9 ASUN) ace
Allison Sparkman enter the circle against Allison Benning of North Florida (41-13, 21-2 ASUN), two players ranked in D1Softball.com's preseason top 100 player rankings. The two dueled, with Sparkman not allowing a hit until the fourth inning where she ultimately surrendered her first run.
The best opportunity for FGCU in the first game came in the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and the heart of the order up to bat but the Eagles could not convert on the opportunity. Benning was replaced in the after allowing two to reach but the Ospreys were able to stimy the attack andkeep FGCU off the board for a 3-0 win.
The second game of the doubleheader saw more low scoring out of the Eagles until the third inning when a two-out rally started brewing.
Only
Nikki Gibson was on base with two outs when
Olivia Black singled Gibson to third and used her speed to take an extra base on the throw.
Avery Viancos walked to get the bases load.
Sophie Wylie stepped up and put a ball in play that found a spot where no UNF fielders could get to it to drive in two.
Wylie and Viancos would advance on a wild pitch with
Alexis Cowles at the plate. Cowles proceeded to drive a ball deep to right field which dropped. Allowing Wylie and Viancos to score for the 4-0 lead.
FGCU would add another in the bottom of the fourth which UNF would answer with their own in the top half of the fifth before the speedy
Kalista Birkenstock created a run with her feet, pinch running, stealing second and scoring on a
Tiffany Meek single to give FGCU the decisive 6-1 win.
With results around the ASUN, the Green and Blue still sit second in the graphite division but the margin is tighter. Stetson gained one game on FGCU on Friday to get the second spot. Either an FGCU win or a Stetson loss tomorrow will secure the second place finish and double-bye in the ASUN tournament.
Tomorrow's game starts at 1 p.m. Stetson will play West Georgia starting at 2 p.m.
Pregame today, FGCU honored founding father of the softball program
David Deiros on his 23-year run as the head coach of FGCU softball before he transitions into a role in administration. As we look to the future, FGCU is committed to finding a head coach who will continue to grow the team's success.
