OXFORD, Ala. –
Emily Chiarella recorded her fourth three-hit game and 10th multi-hit game of the season as Florida Gulf Coast University beat Lipscomb University 5-3 in the opening game of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament on Tuesday.
The Eagles scored early with a run in the first of a wild pitch that allowed Chiarella to score from third. The Green and Blue tacked on two more in the second when
Kendall Wylie put a ball in play to second base allowing the speedy
Camryn Feast to score. Chiarella stepped up to the plate next and brought home
Tiffany Meek for the 3-0 lead.
Chiarella continued to be the catalyst for FGCU success when she managed to beat out the throw on a ball to second base, allowing Meek to score the Eagles' fourth run. With
Nikki Gibson now on third and Chiarella on first, Chiarella broke for second and the Bisons catcher threw it down but no one was covering, allowing Gibson to score, giving FGCU a 5-0 lead.
Allison Sparkman got the start for the Green and Blue and only allowed two hits through five innings before
Victoria Ash came on in relief in the sixth. Ash would continue a phenomenal streak of pitching. She pitched two innings only allowing one earned run on a play that was overturned after review.
With this win, FGCU moves into the double elimination portion of the bracket and will face Central Arkansas on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. eastern. The Eagles will only play that game, win or lose, before returning to action on Thursday.
