05/05/2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The arm of ASUN All-Freshman selection pitcher Julia Bacoulis and the run production of Sietske Drijvers and Mackenzie Leiti led the No. 5 seed Florida Gulf Coast University softball team to a 2-1 victory over the No. 8 seed Austin Peay State University (30-24) on Tuesday afternoon at the UNF Softball Complex in the opening game of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship.

The Eagles (21-31) won a classic pitchers’ duel. Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Presley Smith ignited the rally with a leadoff double and was replaced by pinch runner J’Lyn Guyden. Smith was initially ruled out, but a challenge by FGCU head coach Lindsay Fico that led to a video review showed Smith’s foot touched the base before the tag was applied. Sophie Wylie followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved Guyden to third base. Drijvers then reached on an RBI fielder’s choice to shortstop, bringing home Guyden. Guyden was also initially ruled out at home. Following another review, it was determined that she was safe, and the run stood to tie the game, 1-1.

Following singles by Nikki Gibson and Ally Thompson to load the bases, ASUN All-Freshman Leiti delivered the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Drijvers and putting the Eagles ahead.

“I’m super proud of the team today,” Fico told FGCU Athletics. “Julia’s performance in the circle was top notch. We knew if her changeup was on, she would be successful and give us time to get to them offensively.

“Our lineup’s resilience against (Alanah) Jones from Austin Peay was impressive. We knew it was going to be a tough day at the plate but we stuck to our plan and got the clutch hit when we needed it. It took everyone; our dugout was all in and they kept the momentum on our side. I’m super excited we found a way to extend our week and looking forward to another one tomorrow.”

Bacoulis (8-13) went the distance to earn the complete-game victory. Bacoulis scattered just two hits and allowed one run, while striking out eight batters to keep the Governors’ offense off-balance in the pitchers’ duel.

“My screwball, my changeups were definitely really effective today,” Bacoulis told FGCU Athletics. “It was easy to throw my dropball too, just knowing that my defense would be able to field anything that was coming towards them and make the plays.”

Alanah Jones (17-12) took the loss for Austin Peay, allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks across six complete innings.

Austin Peay held an early 1-0 lead after the second inning when Emilee Baker hit an RBI single to second base that scored Ashlyn Dulaney.

FGCU advances to the double-elimination portion of the tournament bracket, where it will face No. 4 seed Jacksonville on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.