The FGCU softball team extended its win streak after collecting two wins in the opening day of the FGCU / Four Points by Sheraton Spring Break Classic. FGCU topped Mid-American Conference foe Ball State, 9-3, followed by a 12-11 walk-off win against Stoney Brook.
Against Ball State, FGCU opened up the first inning with a four-run rally as an answer to the Cardinals’ two runs in the top of the inning. FGCU continued into extend its lead in the second inning with a three-RBI double by Louie Ross, allowing Makensie McAvoy, Kelsey Huff and Natalie Lopez to score and extend the lead to 7-2.
Following a run from Ball State in the top of the third, Huff responded with a double down left field to allow Jeanie Verderese to extend the game to 8-3. Huff, a sophomore, added her third run of the game after Chandler Middlebrook reached on a fielding error.
Fresh off its ninth win, the Eagles came into their second game of the day with bats still hot against Stoney Brook.
After Stoney Brook opened up the game with four runs in the top of the first inning, FGCU responded with two of its own, coming from McAvoy and freshman Racquel Fournet. The two teams matched runs in the second and third innings, adding a run each in the second and three in the third inning to bring the score to 8-6 in Stoney Brook’s favor.
Stoney Brook scored its last runs of the game in the fifth inning, which went unanswered by FGCU in the bottom of the fifth.
With the score now at 11-6 in Stoney Brook’s favor, a double from Ross and a single from Middlebrook in the sixth allowed the Eagles to close the gap to 11-8 going into the seventh and final inning.
Bree Tourtillott openned up the Eagles’ seventh inning rally with a homer over right field to put the Eagles to 11-9. With the momentum high and lead small, Fournet doubled to left center to bring in McAvoy and Emily Demurias.
With the score now tied, Ross stepped up to the plate to take her fourth at bat of the game. With a single to left field, Carissa LiCata crossed home plate to end the game, 12-11.
With a 10-game win streak, FGCU extends to a 11-5 record for the season.
The Eagles will continue with a rematch against Ball State at 3:45 p.m. followed by a high-profile game against No. 21 / No. 25 Notre Dame at 6 p.m.