02/09/2026

FORT MYERS, Fla.—The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team hosts University of Kansas at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the FGCU Softball Complex.

FGCU (2-2, 0-0 ASUN) is coming off an 8-7 win over Ball State on Saturday. The FGCU offense had a seven-run barrage in the home half of the first inning which included RBI hits from Sietske Drijvers, Parris Wiggs, K’Mari Williams, Kiki Daniels, and Olivia Black. Drijvers provided crucial insurance in the sixth with an RBI single.

Victoria Ash (1-1) earned the win in the circle surrendering two runs on three hits, while striking out three in 3.2 innings. Julia Bacoulis picked up the save, giving up two runs on two hits, while also striking out three in two innings.

FGCU Head Coach Lindsay Fico spoke with The Eagle Sports Report after the Ball State game about the specific tactical adjustments the team is focusing on heading into Tuesday’s game.

“I think biggest things, I think we can improve some of our jumps off the bases,” Fico said. “I think we were in a position to steal a couple of bases and had them stolen, but we’re just kind of late. Late with our jumps at first base, so that’s certainly going to be a focus. Another focus is just truly shutting down offenses late in the game and really kind of closing the door and not letting teams hang around when you’ve gotten the lead, keeping the lead.”

Fico also emphasized the importance of defensive precision to support a pitching staff that navigated several high-leverage situations during the opening weekend.

“Other things are continuing to clean up the defense. We did a little bit better tonight, errors are part of the game and we don’t expect them to be perfect, but just the more we can do with cleaning up the defense, the better off we’re going to be,” Fico added. “We’re real big about having our pitchers throw less stressful innings. With them being as young as they are and inexperienced, the less stress they can be under the better off we’re going to be to win more ball games.”

FLORIDA 11, KANSAS 2

Kansas (2-3, 0-0 Big 12) enters after an 11-2 loss to the University of Florida on Sunday at the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa.

The Jayhawks’ two runs came in the sixth inning on a triple by Anna Soles that scored Presley Limbaugh and a sacrifice fly by Ella Boyer that brought home Soles.

Kaelee Washington took the loss giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings.