Fort Myers, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast pitchers combined to strike out 13 batters and the Eagles scored six unearned runs of two Furman errors to claim an 8-1 decision over the Paladins in the opening game of the FGCU Invitational on Thursday night at the FGCU Softball Complex in Fort Myers, Fla.
 
The Paladins (1-3) will return to action with a revised schedule on Friday. Furman will face Illinois-Chicago (0-0) at 10 a.m. before taking on FGCU (5-1) again at 2:45 p.m. Live statistics will be available for both games and the Furman-FGCU matchup will be streamed live on YouTube. Links are available at FurmanPaladins.com.
 
After Mikenzie Vaughn put FGCU in front with an RBI single in the first inning, Emily Bartlett batted in Riley Ludlam with a chopper to second base that was misplayed to tie the game at 1-1. The Eagles took control of the game in the bottom of the second. With runners at first and second and two out, Johneisha Rowe reached base and a run scored on a throwing error by shortstop Amanda Fleming. McKenna Batterton followed with a two-run single and Vaughn delivered an RBI single to push the FGCU advantage to 5-1.
 
Vaughn improved to 3-for-3 on the day and picked up her third RBI with a solo homer to left field in the fourth inning before a fifth-inning error led to a pair of unearned runs for FGCU.
 
Starter Marissa Mesiemore (3-1) fanned seven Paladins and allowed just two hits over four innings of work to earn the victory. Furman's Morgan Smith (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs, just two earned, on seven hits in four innings in the circle.
 
Ludlam, Fleming and Roni Payne collected Furman's only hits.
 
Following Friday's games, Furman will conclude tournament play on Saturday against nationally-ranked Arkansas (4-1) and Memphis (3-2).
 
FGCU Invitational
Friday
Furman vs. UIC, 10:00 a.m.
Furman at FGCU, 2:45 p.m.
 
Saturday
Furman vs. Arkansas, 10:00 a.m.
Furman vs. Memphis, 12:15 p.m.