02/04/2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team opens its season hosting preseason mid-major No. 24 Charlotte at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the FGCU Softball Complex to launch the FGCU Kickoff Classic.

The matchup signals the start of a “New Era” for the Eagles under first-year head coach Lindsay Fico, who takes over for founding FGCU head coach David Deiros. Fico, a former standout at the University of Florida, arrives in Fort Myers following a historic four-year stint at Mercer University. In 2025, she led the Bears to their first Southern Conference Championship and an NCAA postseason appearance.

FGCU returns seven veteran starters to the lineup. Nikki Gibson led the team with 21 walks last season, while Maddox Thomas finished with a .399 on-base percentage and Emily Chiarella hit a team-best .346. Olivia Black set the school record with 38 steals, and Sophie Wylie led the roster with four home runs and 27 RBIs. Tiffany Meek contributed 16 stolen bases and four triples, while Victoria Ash returns as the lone experienced pitcher after throwing 152 innings with 10 wins and a 3.35 ERA.

Fico also brought four transfers with her from the Mercer championship squad. Parris Wiggs led the Bears with a .351 batting average, and Kiki Daniels added power with eight home runs and 37 RBIs. They are joined by catcher Sietske Drijvers and pitcher Grace Taylor, who was named the 2025 SoCon Championship Most Outstanding Player after posting a 3.00 ERA.

Charlotte enters the game under second-year head coach Courtney Breault. The 49ers finished 30-27 overall last season and 17-10 in the American Athletic Conference, finishing third in the regular-season standings. As a team, the 49ers recorded 60 home runs, 315 runs scored, 276 RBIs, a .467 slugging percentage, and a .369 on-base percentage.

The 49ers are led by Jenna Lord, who earned American Conference Player of the Year honors after finishing 2025 with a .410 batting average, 21 home runs, an .865 slugging percentage, and 65 RBIs. She is joined by Teagan Ritchie, who recorded 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases, and Jaylah Jarrell, who finished last season with a .329 batting average, including seven extra-base hits and 23 RBIs.

In the circle, Charlotte returns its top two pitchers: Brooke Bowling, who led the team with 14 wins and 100 strikeouts in 145 innings, and Aubrey Yarnall, who made 40 appearances with three saves and a 4.32 ERA.

This will be the first ever matchup between the Eagles and 49ers.