MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – After nearly two hours of constant rain delays to start the day, the Barry University softball team (25-13) split a non-conference double-header against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (24-14) earlier today at Buccaneer Field. After the rain subsided, the Buccaneers lost the series opener 8-0, but bounced back to win the nightcap, 3-1.

In the first game, the Eagles jumped out early scoring four runs in the first inning and then later added one run in the third, two in the sixth and one in the seventh in route to the win. Barry managed to scatter three hits over seven innings, but the Eagles collected nine led by senior Blaire Toleman who went three-for-five with a home run and three RBI.

Elizabeth Bennett (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) went three innings and gave up five runs, walked six and struck out four falling to 13-9 overall. Kelly Powe (19-5) picked up the win for Florida Gulf Coast hurling a three-hit shutout and striking out seven.

Although the Eagles picked up seven hits to the Bucs' seven in the nightcap, Barry was able to squeeze out the win 3-1. Florida Gulf Coast took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Buccaneers plated to runs in the bottom half of the same inning and scored once more in the fifth for the win.

Kate Fishburn drove in the Eagles' only run with an RBI groundout in the first to complete the scoring drive, but Maile Keeney (So., Longwood, Fla.) drove in the tying run with an RBI groundout of her own. Samantha Zadel (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) gave Barry the lead with an RBI single and Kim Fujimoto (Jr., Carmichael, Calif.) drove in Barry's only other run in the fifth with an RBI double.

Both Fujimoto and Zadel collected two hits and an RBI apiece to lead Barry, while Cecil and Annie Voyles led Florida Gulf Coast with two hits. Ramie Garcia (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) picked up the win for Barry giving up seven hits, one run, and struck out three to improve to 12-4, while Voyles (0-1) suffered the loss for the Eagles giving up four hits, two runs and walking three.

The Buccaneers will be back in action on Friday, Apr. 8 taking on the Lynn Fighting Knights at 4 pm in Boca Raton, Fla.

Florida Gulf Coast 8, Barry 0 (04/02/2005 at Miami Shores, Fla.) (Game 1)
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Florida Gulf Coast.. 401 002 1 - 8 9 0 (24-13)
Barry............... 000 000 0 - 0 4 1 (24-13)
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Pitchers: Florida Gulf Coast - Powe. Barry - Bennett; Perantoni(4).
Win-Powe(19-5) Loss-Bennett(13-9) T-2:04 A-0
HR FGCU - Toleman (2).
Game: SB0402A

Barry 3, Florida Gulf Coast 1 (04/02/2005 at Miami Shores, Fla.) (Game 2)
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Florida Gulf Coast.. 100 000 0 - 1 7 1 (24-14)
Barry............... 200 010 X - 3 5 1 (25-13)
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Pitchers: Florida Gulf Coast - Voyles; Powe(4). Barry - Garcia.
Win-Garcia(12-4) Loss-Voyles(0-1) T-1:50 A-67
Voyles faced 1 batter in the 4th.
Game: SB0402B