Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, March 2
Fort Myers, Fla.
5 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
4
at
3
Florida Gulf Coast
Nellie Coquillard
Softball Wraps Up Action in Florida wIth Two Wins Over FGCU
3/2/2011 11:25:17 PM | Softball
The Eagles improve to 7-2 on the season, representing the best start for the program in 29 years
Box Scores: Game One. Game Two.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) — After picking up two victories over Florida Gulf Coast this evening, March 2, the Eastern Michigan University softball team is off to its best start in 29 seasons, improving to 7-2 overall through six days of action in Fort Myers, Fla.
The last time the Eagles opened the year with a 7-2 record dates back to the 1982 campaign, where then Head Coach Ann Johnson led her squad to an overall mark of 27-20 while going 10-8 in the Mid-American Conference.
The Eagles swept the Eagles of FGCU in a doubleheader at the FGCU Softball Complex, besting their opponent in game one, 4-3, and shutting out FGCU in the nightcap, 4-0.
In the game one, Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) led the EMU offense with a 2-for-3 effort at the dish. The senior also knocked in one run for the Eagles.
Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) struck out five in the contest and improves to 4-1 on the season. The sophomore also shut down the FGCU offense, leaving them hitless through 2.2 innings in the circle. Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) saw 4.1 innings of work, striking out four while giving up just three hits.
EMU was first to put a run on the board in the top of the third inning. Jessica Richards (Canton, Ohio-Jackson) drew a one-out walk after Lauren Delapaz (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) grounded out to the pitcher. Katy Blaharski (Carleton, Mich.-Airport) would put the ball in play, causing FGCU's Tori Williams to commit the error and allow Richards to come around and score.
The Eagles would add another run in the fourth, thanks to a solo shot to leftfield by Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover). FGCU would answer, however, with an RBI single off the bat of Brittney Garabedian to bring the game to 2-1.
The EMU offense generated another run in the fifth and increased their lead to 3-1, but the FGCU bats came alive and tallied two runs to knot the score at three apiece heading into the sixth.
In the top of the seventh, EMU was textbook in manufacturing the go-ahead and eventual winning run. Lindsay Smith (Seville, Ohio-Cloverleaf) kicked off the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to third after a successful sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice. Skodinski then notched her second hit of the game, knocking a single through the left side to plate Smith and give the Eagles a 4-3 lead.
The Green and White were able to close it out in the seventh, as Ignowski fanned two and forced a fly out to secure the win.
In the nightcap, the Eagles relied on a four-run inning to take away the 4-0 win over FGCU.
Freshman Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) (1-0) was solid on the mound, earning her first career complete game shutout victory. The Indiana native struck out nine in seven innings of work, while holding the FGCU Eagles to just four hits.
Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) paced the Eagles offensively, successfully converting on 2-of-3 opportunities at the plate while scoring one run and picking up two RBIs. Courtney Nicholson (Navarre, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic) chipped in a multi-hit game of her own with two hits in the contest.
The Eagles waited until the fourth inning to strike, as EMU posted three consecutive hits to start the frame. Blaharski started the rally with a single to right and advanced to third after Skodinski blasted a double to centerfield. Gerber stepped to the plate and connected on an RBI single to left, allowing Blaharki to score the Eagles first run of the contest. A double by Coquillard plated two more runs for EMU, and Delapaz would complete the four-run rally with an RBI single to right-center field.
Thanks to stellar pitching and defense, the Eagles were able to close out the contest and shut down FGCU through the remainder of the contest, cruising to a 4-0 win and completing the sweep over the Eagles.
The Green and White will take time off before returning to action at the Hoosier Classic hosted by Indiana on March 18. Their first game at the tournament is slated against Wright State. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) — After picking up two victories over Florida Gulf Coast this evening, March 2, the Eastern Michigan University softball team is off to its best start in 29 seasons, improving to 7-2 overall through six days of action in Fort Myers, Fla.
The last time the Eagles opened the year with a 7-2 record dates back to the 1982 campaign, where then Head Coach Ann Johnson led her squad to an overall mark of 27-20 while going 10-8 in the Mid-American Conference.
The Eagles swept the Eagles of FGCU in a doubleheader at the FGCU Softball Complex, besting their opponent in game one, 4-3, and shutting out FGCU in the nightcap, 4-0.
In the game one, Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) led the EMU offense with a 2-for-3 effort at the dish. The senior also knocked in one run for the Eagles.
Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) struck out five in the contest and improves to 4-1 on the season. The sophomore also shut down the FGCU offense, leaving them hitless through 2.2 innings in the circle. Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) saw 4.1 innings of work, striking out four while giving up just three hits.
EMU was first to put a run on the board in the top of the third inning. Jessica Richards (Canton, Ohio-Jackson) drew a one-out walk after Lauren Delapaz (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) grounded out to the pitcher. Katy Blaharski (Carleton, Mich.-Airport) would put the ball in play, causing FGCU's Tori Williams to commit the error and allow Richards to come around and score.
The Eagles would add another run in the fourth, thanks to a solo shot to leftfield by Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover). FGCU would answer, however, with an RBI single off the bat of Brittney Garabedian to bring the game to 2-1.
The EMU offense generated another run in the fifth and increased their lead to 3-1, but the FGCU bats came alive and tallied two runs to knot the score at three apiece heading into the sixth.
In the top of the seventh, EMU was textbook in manufacturing the go-ahead and eventual winning run. Lindsay Smith (Seville, Ohio-Cloverleaf) kicked off the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to third after a successful sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice. Skodinski then notched her second hit of the game, knocking a single through the left side to plate Smith and give the Eagles a 4-3 lead.
The Green and White were able to close it out in the seventh, as Ignowski fanned two and forced a fly out to secure the win.
In the nightcap, the Eagles relied on a four-run inning to take away the 4-0 win over FGCU.
Freshman Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) (1-0) was solid on the mound, earning her first career complete game shutout victory. The Indiana native struck out nine in seven innings of work, while holding the FGCU Eagles to just four hits.
Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) paced the Eagles offensively, successfully converting on 2-of-3 opportunities at the plate while scoring one run and picking up two RBIs. Courtney Nicholson (Navarre, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic) chipped in a multi-hit game of her own with two hits in the contest.
The Eagles waited until the fourth inning to strike, as EMU posted three consecutive hits to start the frame. Blaharski started the rally with a single to right and advanced to third after Skodinski blasted a double to centerfield. Gerber stepped to the plate and connected on an RBI single to left, allowing Blaharki to score the Eagles first run of the contest. A double by Coquillard plated two more runs for EMU, and Delapaz would complete the four-run rally with an RBI single to right-center field.
Thanks to stellar pitching and defense, the Eagles were able to close out the contest and shut down FGCU through the remainder of the contest, cruising to a 4-0 win and completing the sweep over the Eagles.
The Green and White will take time off before returning to action at the Hoosier Classic hosted by Indiana on March 18. Their first game at the tournament is slated against Wright State. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.
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