05/06/2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University softball season came to an end on Wednesday night at the UNF Softball Complex.

After winning 2-1 over Austin Peay to advance to the double-elimination round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship, the No. 5 seed Eagles were swept on day two, falling 6-2 to No. 4 seed Jacksonville University before losing 10-2 in a run-rule, six-inning game to No. 3 seed University of North Alabama.

Despite the back-to-back losses, one positive record came out of the day. Olivia Black extended her FGCU NCAA Division I program-leading stolen base record, finishing her career with 102 stolen bases. The record-breaking steal came in the top of the second inning against Jacksonville when Black reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop and subsequently stole second.

The losses bring an end to the careers of eight graduating seniors: Black, Nikki Gibson, Tiffany Meek, Emily Chiarella, Maddox Thomas, Sietske Drijvers, Grace Taylor, and Parris Wiggs.

The Eagles (21-33) struggled to find offensive consistency in their final two contests, combining for just four runs on the day. In the nightcap, North Alabama (36-15) broke a 2-2 tie scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Bayleigh Rouse, followed later in the inning by an RBI sacrifice fly by Natalie Shaw that scored Emma Kate Wright.

The Lions remained hungry however, adding five more runs in the sixth beginning with a single by Karley Moreland that allowed Katie Davis to advance to third base and score on an ensuing fielding error. Briley Dover followed with a two-run single that brought home Moreland and Claire Wright. Gyvan Hammons stole home and Laura Leigh Wheeler hit an RBI single scoring Dover, forcing the run-rule final.

North Alabama opened the nightcap taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run homer by Briley Dover. FGCU tied the game in the top of the second; Drijvers led off with a single through the left side and Gibson drew a walk before Ally Thompson hit a sacrifice bunt advancing Drijvers to third and Gibson to second. Black then brought them home with a two-run double to left center.

Katie Simon (12-4) earned the win for North Alabama, surrendering two runs on five hits while striking out five in six innings. Grace Taylor (9-12) took the loss, giving up five runs on four hits in four innings of work.

Jacksonville 6, FGCU 2

In the day’s opening contest, Jacksonville (33-19) defeated the Eagles for the fifth time this season.

The Dolphins overcame an early 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI double by Tatum McCool that scored Emma Mansfield, a single by Reese Wells that brought home McCool, an RBI double by Jaida Thomas that allowed Wells to cross home plate, and a sacrifice fly by Sarah Beth Brake that scored Thomas.

Jacksonville extended the lead in the third inning on a solo home run by Lindsey Chadwick.

FGCU did not go away, cutting the deficit to 5-2 in the top of the fourth when Drijvers singled through the right side and advanced to second on a throwing error. Gibson laid down a sacrifice bunt advancing Drijvers to third, and Thompson hit an RBI double to left center, scoring Drijvers.

The Dolphins added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Brake hit an RBI double to left center, scoring Kate Linkletter.

Jacy Harrelson (21-7) earned the win for Jacksonville, throwing a complete game and allowing two runs on 10 hits, while striking out three. Julia Bacoulis (8-14) took the loss for FGCU, surrendering four runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings.

FGCU opened the game taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a solo home run to left center by Gibson.