04/25/2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team returns to the FGCU Softball Complex this weekend for its final home three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series of the season. The Eagles play host to Queens University of Charlotte, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 at 4 p.m. and concluding with a series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The series carries significant postseason implications for the Eagles (16-29, 10-8 ASUN), who currently sit third in the ASUN Graphite Division standings. With only the top four teams from each division qualifying for the ASUN Conference Championship, FGCU looks to protect its lead over North Florida (8-10), West Georgia (5-13), and Queens (4-14). Following this weekend, the Eagles have only three conference games remaining on the schedule.

The Eagles enter the series looking to snap a recent skid. FGCU dropped a 3-1 decision in the rubber match against Jacksonville last Sunday, followed by a 9-0 run-rule loss to nonconference rival South Florida on Wednesday.

Prior to Sunday’s finale, the Eagles will host a special ceremony to honor their eight seniors: Olivia Black, Emily Chiarella, Grace Taylor, Tiffany Meek, Nikki Gibson, Parris Wiggs, Maddox Thomas, and Sietske Drijvers.

The weekend is highlighted by a potential historic milestone for senior outfielder Black. Black currently leads the Eagles with a .328 batting average, a team-high 44 hits, and 14 stolen bases this season.

With 97 career steals, Black is currently tied for the FGCU NCAA Division I program record. Her next stolen base will move her into sole possession of first place in the school’s D-I record books.

The Eagles’ offense is further bolstered by Wiggs, who is hitting .320, and Sietske Drijvers, who carries a .293 average. Drijvers ranks second on the team with 22 RBI and nine doubles this season.

Defensively, Drijvers has been a force behind the plate. As the starting catcher, she has caught 14 runners stealing this year. She enters the series just three caught-stealings away from breaking the program’s all-time single-season record.

Meek has provided a steady presence at first base, starting nearly every game and posting a career-high .981 fielding percentage. Offensively, Meek has tallied 16 RBI and is currently in a three-way tie for the team lead in triples with two. Gibson adds further veteran stability to the infield, having started every game at third base this season. Gibson has contributed 12 RBI and a home run to the Eagles’ offensive efforts.

In the circle, Taylor (6-9) leads the pitching staff with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Taylor has been the staff’s most consistent arm, ranking second on the team with 39 strikeouts.

The Royals come to Fort Myers looking to snap a recent skid. Queens dropped two of three in its previous conference series against North Florida on April 18-19. Despite winning the opening game 4-2, the Royals surrendered an 11-3 run-rule loss in the second game and fell 5-4 in an eight-inning finale.

Queens brings a potent offensive trio to Fort Myers, led by Lindsay Henson. Henson enters the series hitting a blistering .425 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI, while boasting a .890 slugging percentage. She is flanked by Sage Farmer, who hits .394 and leads the Royals with 16 steals, and Olivia Thornton, who carries a .387 average with 10 home runs and 35 RBI.

In the circle, the Royals are led by Addison Kluck (9-13). Kluck carries a 5.16 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP, leading the team with 101 strikeouts in 137 innings pitched. As a unit, the Queens pitching staff enters the series with a 6.35 ERA.

FGCU enters the weekend seeking a repeat of their early-season performance in Charlotte, where they swept the Royals to gain a critical edge in the standings.