FT. MYERS, Fla. — Columbia softball concluded its seven-game trip to the Sunshine State in defeat, falling to Florida Gulf Coast, 6-0, Wednesday evening at the FGCU Softball Complex.
Despite the loss, Columbia (7-10) posted a 5-2 record over spring break. The Lions came up with seven hits against the Eagles (14-12) and had runners in scoring position in each of the last four innings but were unable to crack the scoreboard. Reigning Ivy League Player of the Week Max Ortega finished 2-for-3 at the plate, as did junior outfielder Amber Swinarski.
Rookie Alexa Pinarski got the start in the circle and surrendered three runs on five hits through 3.0 innings. Junior Erin Gallo came on in relief to begin the fourth, allowing three runs in her first inning of work before retiring the final seven Eagles she faced. The two pitchers combined for five strikeouts.
Riley Randolph earned the win for FGCU, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.0 shutout innings. Infielders Haley Morrell and Reedy Davenport each went 2-for-3 at the plate. Davenport drove in two FGCU runs.
The Eagles took the early lead on just two pitches. Kate Kelly singled and advanced to second on a bobble in to bring up Haley Morrell. Morrell hit the next ball back through the middle and off the outstretched glove of Soltesz at second to bring home the first run. Pinarski struck out Racquel Fornet for the first out but the cleanup hitter, Reedy Davenport, punched another back through the middle with Morrell on second to increase the advantage to 2-0.
Pinarski settled in to retire the Eagles in order in the second but they added to their lead in the third. With rain falling in Fort Myers, Pinarski surrendered two walks, a wild pitch and an RBI single to Brooke Clemens, pushing FGCU ahead 3-0.
A three-run fourth stretched the Eagles' lead. A three-base error following a sac bunt attempt by McKenna Batterton moved two runs across home plate. FGCU wound up hitting two more doubles before the inning was over to increase the margin to 6-0
Gallo struck out three through a pair of 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth and Columbia threatened with two runners on in their half of each inning. Pagane got unlucky on a liner that went straight at the right fielder with two down in the fifth. Nishihira worked a full count against relief pitcher Marrisa Mesiemore before going down swinging to eliminate the threat in the sixth.
The Lions had one last chance to score in the seventh when Swinarski singled to lead things off. The next batter, Krystin Wong, lined out to third and Mikenzie Vaughn fired back to first to double off Swinarski. The next two Lions both reached base but Wetherill was jammed on a soft liner to end the game.
Columbia returns to New York Thursday morning to prepare for the start of Ivy League play this weekend. The Lions will host a three-game series against Dartmouth, beginning with a doubleheader Saturday and concluding with a single on Sunday.
