FT. MYERS, Fla. -- The Barry University softball team (4-0) continued their winning streak under first-year head coach Danielle Penner with a pair of wins over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles earlier tonight. The Bucs won the opening game 3-1 and later the nightcap 2-0 in 10 innings.

 

In the first game, the Buccaneers managed to pull out a late 3-1 win over the hosting Eagles. Florida Gulf Coast took advantage of two walks in the second inning after Natasha Johnson drove in the game's first run with an RBI single for an early 1-0 lead.

 

Heading into the seventh inning with the lead, FGCU pitcher Rachael Edinger (0-1) had allowed just one Buccaneer hit and struck out 11. However, the flood gates opened as the Bucs collected three hits ignited by Cristina DeTagle's (So., North Miami, Fla.) lead-off single. Brittany Anderson (Fr., Chandler, Ariz.) and Brittany Behrendt (Jr., Antioch, Ill.) each added hits, but it was Behrendt's pinch-hit two-RBI triple that plated two runs to break the 1-1 tie for the Bucs 3-1 win.

 

Ramie Garcia (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) fended off the Eagle charge in the bottom of the seventh to improve to 2-0 on the season. She allowed four hits in seven innings, one run, walked five, and struck out five in the win. Edinger recorded the loss for Florida Gulf Coast after hurling seven innings, allowing three hits, three runs (two earned), and struck out 12.

 

In the nightcap, both teams were deadlocked at the end of the regulation seven innings and both had collected a combined seven hits. However, the bats began to wake up in the late innings for both teams. Barry though, was the team to come out on top after three 10th-inning doubles.

 

Ashley Loose (Jr., Mill Creek, Wash.) led off the inning with a double to left-center, while Shyla Ryder (Fr., Woodbridge, Va.) recorded an identical hit that plated the go ahead run. With one out, Barry's Kim Fujimoto (Sr., Carmichael, Calif.) picked up her first double of the season allowing Ryder to score giving the Bucs a 2-0 win.

 

Freshman pitcher Amber Jack (Homestead, Fla.) proved her worth going the distance for the Bucs. In 10 innings, she allowed just six hits, one walk and struck out five to pick up her first win of her collegiate career. Melissa Geissler (0-1) suffered the loss for FGCU giving up eight hits, two runs, four walks, and struck out three.

 

Rider and Loose managed to collect multiple hits in the nightcap. Rider finished three-for-five with a double, an RBI, and a run scored, while Loose finished two-for-four with a double and a run score.

 

The Buccaneers will return to action after a nine-day layoff on Saturday, Feb. 18 hosting the Tampa Spartans at Buccaneer Field at 7 pm to open Sunshine State Conference play.

 

 

Barry 3, Florida Gulf Coast 1 (02/09/2006 at Ft. Myers, Fla.) (Game 1)

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Barry............... 000 000 3 -  3  4  1      (3-0)

Florida Gulf Coast.. 010 000 0 -  1  4  2      (0-1)

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Pitchers: Barry - Garcia. Florida Gulf Coast - Edinger.

Win-Garcia(2-0)  Loss-Edinger(0-1)  T-1:41  A-0

Game: SB0209A

 

Barry 2, Florida Gulf Coast 0 (02/09/2006 at Ft. Myers, Fla.) (Game 2)

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Barry............... 000 000 000 2 -  2  8  0      (4-0)

Florida Gulf Coast.. 000 000 000 0 -  0  6  1      (0-2)

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Pitchers: Barry - Jack. Florida Gulf Coast - Geissler.

Win-Jack(1-0)  Loss-Geissler(0-1)  T-2:53  A-102

Game: SB0209B