04/30/2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team travels to DeLand this weekend for a high-stakes three-game series against Stetson University to conclude the 2026 regular season. The Atlantic Sun Conference clash begins with a doubleheader starting Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a single-game finale Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Eagles (19-29, 13-8 ASUN) enter the weekend sitting third in the ASUN Graphite Division. While FGCU has already clinched a spot in the conference tournament, the series against the division-leading Hatters (31-19, 16-5 ASUN) will dictate seeding and momentum heading into postseason play.

FGCU is looking to build on the momentum of a successful home finale, where they took two of three games from Queens University of Charlotte. The Eagles’ offense has been anchored by graduate outfielder Olivia Black, who leads the team with a .329 batting average and 47 hits. During the Queens series, Black became the program’s all-time NCAA Division I leader in career stolen bases; by swiping her 16th bag of the season and the 99th of her career, she surpassed the previous record of 97 held by Kelsey Huff (2012–15).

Parris Wiggs follows closely at .327 and leads the squad with a .400 on-base percentage. Providing the power behind those runners is Mackenzie Leiti, the team’s top run producer, who boasts a .534 slugging percentage with a team-high seven home runs and 29 RBIs.

In the circle, Grace Taylor (9-9) leads the pitching staff after being named ASUN Pitcher of the Week for her role in all three wins against Queens. Taylor maintains a team-best 3.97 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP over 118 innings pitched. She is complemented by Julia Bacoulis (7-13), who leads the Eagles with 78 strikeouts. As a unit, the FGCU staff carries a 4.93 ERA heading into the final weekend of play.

The Eagles’ defense has stabilized into a consistent unit down the stretch. Third baseman Nikki Gibson has gained national attention for her defensive efficiency; according to the 6-4-3 Charts released on April 28, Gibson was ranked No. 5 in the nation among all NCAA Division I third basemen on the Defensive Runs Saved list with a mark of 13.3. Her ability to neutralize opposing hitters has provided a necessary safety net for the pitching staff during the Eagles’ late-season surge.

Complementing Gibson’s play is catcher Sietske Drijvers, who remains a formidable presence behind the dish. Drijvers threw out her 15th runner caught stealing during the second game against Queens and now sits just two runners away from breaking the FGCU single-season record.

Stetson returns home with momentum after clinching a road series victory against Jacksonville University last weekend. The Hatters split a Saturday doubleheader—dropping a 2-1 extra-inning game before bouncing back with an 8-5 win—and secured the series on Sunday with a 5-4 victory that again required eight innings to decide.

The Hatters’ offense is powered by Nicole Edmiaston, who leads the team with a .462 batting average, 66 hits, and 66 RBIs. During the Jacksonville series, Edmiaston cemented her place in the record books by breaking Stetson’s single-season home run and RBI records; she enters the weekend with 22 home runs on the year.

Irianis Garcia carries a .370 average and a .464 on-base percentage with 60 hits and 11 home runs. The Hatters’ lineup features additional power in Logan Foreman, who has 13 home runs and 36 RBIs on a .323 average, and Gabby David enters the series batting .339 with five home runs and 24 RBIs.

The Hatters’ pitching staff is anchored by Ava Braswell (16-10), who has emerged as the workhorse of the rotation. Braswell carries a 3.03 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP into the final weekend. Supporting Braswell is Hayley Arnold (8-3) who has a 4.14 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched.

With postseason seeding hanging in the balance, this weekend’s series provides the Eagles with an ideal proving ground against one of the conference’s toughest lineups. FGCU will lean on its veteran leadership and steady defense to counter Stetson’s offensive firepower, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive final push before the conference tournament begins.