05/04/2026

DeLAND, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast University softball team avoided an Atlantic Sun Conference series sweep and spoiled Stetson University’s Senior Day on Saturday, topping the Hatters 6-4 in a rain-shortened, five-inning regular season finale.

With the series win, Stetson (33-20, 18-16 ASUN) claimed the Graphite Division after winning the doubleheader against the Eagles on Friday and entered the ASUN Championship as the No. 2 seed. FGCU (20-31, 14-10 ASUN), meanwhile, enters as the No. 5 seed with momentum coming off the win over the Hatters. The Eagles will face No. 8 seed Austin Peay (30-23, 12-12 ASUN) in a single-elimination game on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the UNF Softball Complex in Jacksonville, with the winner moving to the double-elimination bracket on Wednesday.

FGCU outfielder Olivia Black reached a career milestone during the finale, surpassing the century mark with two steals to reach 101 career stolen bases. Black swiped her 100th bag in the second inning after reaching on a fielder’s choice, then broke the record in the fourth by stealing second again after drawing a walk.

Trailing 3-0 entering the top of the fifth, FGCU’s offense exploded for six runs to seize the lead. The rally began when Kiki Daniels reached on a throwing error and Presley Smith drew a walk. After Parris Wiggs walked to load the bases, Danae Falquez put the Eagles on the board with an RBI single.

Chaos on the basepaths followed, as J’Lyn Guyden (pinch-running for Smith) scored on an ensuing Stetson throwing error to cut the deficit to one. Nikki Gibson then provided the go-ahead spark, launching a two-run double to center to give FGCU a 4-3 lead.

The Eagles didn’t stop there. Mackenzie Leiti tacked on an RBI single to score Gibson, and after Black and K’Mari Williams singled to load the bases again, Smith returned to the plate to slap an RBI single to shortstop, bringing home Leiti for the final run of the six-run frame.

When asked how the offense managed to string together the hits and pass the bats during that crucial rally, FGCU head coach Lindsay Fico credited their preparation and discipline.

“I think just the hitters sticking to their plan and trusting what my hitting coach Devyn Flaherty had talked to them about and really, really selling out and not being indecisive and second guessing what we had prepared for. They were able to put all the hard work to paper and it ended up paying off for us,” Fico said.

Looking ahead to the postseason, Fico emphasized the importance of carrying the momentum from the resilient win into the conference tournament, particularly against Austin Peay.

“With Stetson being at the top of our side and really being at the top overall it brings momentum that we definitely need to make it through a tough week. I think as long as we can focus on the game that’s in front of us and not get too ahead of ourselves we should be okay,” Fico explained. “We talked to our pitchers, if we can limit the free bases and the walks, and put ourselves in a position to make the plays behind them that we’re going to be okay. I absolutely trust my staff especially Devyn Flaherty as she gets our hitters ready for Austin Peay’s pitching staff. We’re going to have to swing it well in this game against Austin Peay to be able to come out. I think it’s going to be a hitters battle.”

FGCU will be facing a tough challenge against the Governors’ power hitters, including Sammie Shelander, who boasts a .379 batting average, a .714 slugging percentage, and 14 home runs. The Austin Peay offense is also paced by Brie Howard, who leads the team with a .758 slugging percentage and 20 home runs, alongside Katie Raper, who holds a .315 batting average with 15 home runs. To counter that firepower, the Eagles’ defense will look to key players like Sietske Drijvers, who set the FGCU single-season record for runners caught stealing during the series against Stetson.

When discussing the value of veterans on defense and how they anchor the lineup, Fico highlighted the leadership behind the plate.

“It’s huge. Siets(ke) sets the tone behind the plate especially with a younger pitching staff, outside of Grace Taylor. Everybody’s pretty inexperienced especially in this type of a role. She sets the tone behind the plate. Even if we give up that free base we dare runners to run with her behind the plate. Nikki Gibson has single-handedly saved a ton of runs for us defensively. I know with as hard as our infielders work and with the growth that our outfielders have had over this season we’re going to put ourselves in a position to win the ball game,” Fico said.

Stetson attempted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth when Logan Forman lifted a solo home run to cut the FGCU lead to 6-4. However, the rally was cut short as lightning and rain moved into the DeLand area. Officials suspended play entering the top of the sixth inning, and with the weather showing no signs of clearing, the game was declared final.

The Hatters jumped out to an early lead, tagging FGCU for three runs in the opening frames. In the first inning, Irianis Garcia laced a two-run single to score Nicole Edmiaston and Annabella McClerren. Stetson extended the cushion to 3-0 in the second when Nadia English hit a solo home run.

Victoria Ash (4-4) earned the win in relief for the Eagles. Ash was effective in her 1 1/3 innings of work, surrendering just one run on two hits and striking out one. Caitlyn Kulczyski (0-1) was tagged with the loss for Stetson, allowing six runs—four earned—on six hits across 4 1/3 innings of play.

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