Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Julia Morales, Sarah Hartley and TJ Bindus each recorded hits as Oakland (4-6) dropped a 9-1 decision to host FGCU (6-9) in the final game of the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Softball Invitational on Sunday at the FGCU Softball Complex. Laura Pond (1-1) went 5.1 innings with three strikeouts surrendering only three earned runs in the losing effort.

Morales went 2-for-3, Hartley hit 1-for-2 with a RBI while Bindus went 1-for-2 to account for all four Oakland hits. The Golden Grizzlies scored a run but left six runners on base and could not break though against FGCU pitcher Gabbee Draney who went the distance going 6.0 innings with two strikeouts.

"I know the team is very disappointed with their performance after such an outstanding performance last night," said head coach Connie Miner. "Laura threw a great game against a very strong offensive team. She kept them off balance the whole game. We put pressure on ourselves by not playing our strong defensive game giving up six unearned runs. Half of those hits in the box score should have been outs in my opinion because I believe in our defense to make every play. The positive is we again had opportunities to score more runs and get back in this game. We have to become more consistent and embrace the opportunity to play FGCU again on Tuesday and play Oakland ball"

FGCU got on the board in the second inning scoring three unearned runs with two outs. Oakland responded in the third with Hartley's RBI single to score Jackie Kisman cutting the lead to 3-1.

FGCU added four more runs (three unearned) off three hits in the fifth inning and added two more in the sixth to end the game with a 9-1 win.

Oakland plays a double header against FGCU on Tuesday, Feb. 24 with a game one beginning at 5 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m.

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