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FORT MYERS, Fla. – Kennesaw State was unable to solve Florida Gulf Coast left-hander Riley Randolph and fell 2-0 to the top-seeded Eagles during day two of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Thursday in Fort Myers.
 
The Owls (28-27) will return to action at 5:30 p.m. today face Jacksonville in an elimination game.
 
After falling behind 2-0, the put the tying runs on base to open the seventh inning as Taylor Denton and Courtney Sutter produced back-to-back hits. However, Randolph (16-4) retired the next three batters to close out the game.
 
"It was a very tough way to start the day. I'm proud that we fought to last pitch," head coach Tory Acheson said. "We knew we needed to play a clean game to beat FGCU and we did not do that today."
 
The Eagles (31-25) broke through for a run with two outs in the third inning. Kelsey Huff was hit by a pitch and Makansie McAvoy followed with a bunt that was fielded by Kara Chambers who threw to first base where the ball was dropped. Huff kept running on the play and came around to score when the ball was thrown back to Viers who stepped out of the circle.
 
FGCU added an insurance run in the fifth after Natalie Lopez opened the frame with a bunt single, advanced to second on a sacrifice and scored on a bloop single to right field by McAvoy.
 
Randolph allowed three hits and struck out eight for the Eagles.
 
Logan Viers (13-10) started for Kennesaw State and worked four innings, allowed four hits, an unearned run and struck out three.
 
"Jacksonville is next and we need to dig deep to have a chance at keeping our season going," Acheson said. "We will keep fighting until the last pitch."
 
 
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