FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Towson University softball team dropped two decisions to Florida Gulf Coast University on Wednesday evening in a doubleheader at FGCU Softball Complex. The Tigers fell 4-2 in the first game of the day before dropping a 5-4 decision to the Eagles in the second game.
 
Game One: FGCU 4, Towson 2
 
Towson (9-7) outhit FGCU (18-15) by an impressive 10-3 margin but was unable to capitalize, stranding eight on base as two costly errors gave the Eagles the run advantage
 
The Tigers got on the board early in the game, scoring two runs in the first inning. Center fielder Kendyl Scott singled through the left side before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Olivia Yarborugh. Shortstop Brook Miko recorded an RBI after she singled through the right side to score Scott. Tiger pitcher Missy McCormick hit a triple to right center that scored Miko for Towson's second run of the game. McCormick's hit would have been a home run but she didn't touch the plate and therefore was out by the Eagles' catcher Christine Marino on a technical unassisted groundout that ended the inning.
 
FGCU responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Second baseman Jeanie Verderese started the inning by reaching on a throwing error by Tigers' third baseman Holiday Cahill and advancing to second. She moved to third on a passed ball before scoring when Marino hit a sacrifice bunt and reached on a fielders' choice. The Eagles' Carissa LiCata came in as a pinch-runner for Marino and successfully stole second. Designated Player Kelsey Huff reached on an error by Towson first baseman Ambar Hickman that scored LiCata. Right fielder Makensie McAvoy singled before moving to second on the throw that advanced Huff to third. Huff would score the inning's third run on a passed ball.
 
The Eagles added a fourth and final run in the bottom of the fourth when shortstop Alexis Ross homered to center field.
 
McCormick (5-2) pitched all six inning for the Tigers, allowing four runs on three hits. She struck out seven batters and did not give up a walk in the game. Scott had a game-high three hits for Towson.
 
The Eagles' Taylor Wade (3-4) gave up eight hits and two runs in 4.2 innings, walking one batter and striking out just two for the win. Shelby Morgan earned her second save of the season as she came on in relief action. Morgan allowed only two hits in the final 2.1 innings and tallied three strikeouts.
 
Game Two: FGCU 5, Towson 4
 
In the second game of the day, the Tigers added another eight hits but FGCU staged a two-run sixth-inning comeback to defeat Towson 5-4.
 
FGCU tallied the first run of the game in the bottom of the second third baseman Brittany McGuire reached on a fielder's choice that had designated player Chandler Middlebrook out at second. McGuire advanced to third on a throwing error by Tiger shortstop Miko after first baseman Michaela Hynes single-d. A fielder's choice allowed McGuire to score as Hynes was called out at second while catcher Kasandra Castle reached first base.

Towson briefly took the lead in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs that began when McCormick, who played right field in the second game of the day, was walked by Eagles' pitcher Gabbee Draney. McCormick advanced to third after first baseman Hickman singled down the right field line. Tiger left fielder Yarbrough followed by singling down the left field line to score McCormick. Hickman tallied the Tigers' second run after center fielder Scott hit the third single in the row for Towson, this time up the middle of the field.
 
The Eagles regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth with two runs scored. A single by shortstop Ross and a fielder's choice during third baseman McGuire's at-bat, coupled with an error by Tiger second baseman Hailey Balk, gave FGCU runners on first and second. Two back-to-back singles scored Ross and loaded the bases for the Eagles. Left fielder Huff had an RBI bunt to score McGuire for the inning's final run.
 
The Tigers tallied two more runs in the top of the fifth inning to once again take the lead from the Eagles. Third baseman Cahill reached on a fielder's choice before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Cahill added a run for the Tigers on a single by McCormick who was out at second. Catcher Shelby Stracher hit a home run for Towson's fourth run of the game.
 
FGCU staged a successful comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring two runs for the win. McGuire started things off with a double to right center and moving to third on a groundout by first baseman Hynes. The Eagles' catcher Castle recorded an RBI on a groundout to the Tigers' Hickman, scoring McGuire. FGCU had pinch-hitter Verderese step in for second baseman Brianne Innamorato and single through the left side. Huff added the final run for the Eagles on a triple to left center that scored Verderese.
 
McCormick hit a single in the top of the seventh to get on base for the Tigers with one out (Cahill flied out to left field). Towson's potential comeback was ended as Stracher grounded into a double play for the game's final two outs.
 
The Tigers' had a team-high two hits from both McCormick and Yarbrough while four other Towson players recorded hits. FGCU's Huff had a game-high four hits.
 
Megan Dejter (2-4) pitched the complete game for the Tigers, allowing only five runs on 11 hits. She struck out two batters in the six innings pitched and did not give up a walk.
 
Ashley Dobson (8-3) earned the win for the Eagles, giving up only one run on four hits in the final three innings pitched. She walked one batter and tallied three stikeouts. Draney started the game for FGCU, pitching the first four innings and giving up three runs on four hits. She walked five Tigers and struck out only three.
 
Towson will return home to open Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference play against James Madison this weekend. The Tigers will host the Dukes in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 21 that begins at 3:30 p.m. The teams will play a single game on Sunday that starts at 12 p.m. Due to weather related delays on construction upgrades to Tiger Softball Stadium, the games will be moved to College Park and played at the Maryland College Park Softball Complex.