FGCU softball pitcher honored for contributions on and off field

One Florida Gulf Coast University athlete has been named one of the best in the country.

Left-handed pitcher Riley Randolph for FGCU softball is one of 30 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award, which chooses candidates exemplifying excellence in competition, classroom, character, and community.

“It was awesome,” Randolph said of the nomination. “There’s girls on that list that I’ve looked up to since I got to college, and just to be on the same category is amazing.”

Randolph started making headlines soon after stepping into the circle for FGCU softball. In her first year with the program, she was named the ASUN Conference’s Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

“I owe it to my team to back me up because I wouldn’t be here without them,” Randolph said.

During Sunday’s game between FGCU softball and defending ASUN Champion, Kennesaw State, Randolph became FGCU’s all-time leader in most-innings pitched. The Eagles swept the Owls this weekend.

Randolph will find out if she makes the shorter list of 10 Senior Class Award finalists later this season.

Randolph is making a difference both on and off the field. She is currently on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), or FGCU Eagles Council, and also interning with SOUKUP Strategic Solutions, sometimes volunteering her time between games.

“I love giving back,” Randolph said. “We (SAAC) are having a bone marrow drive. Working with non-profits has been really rewarding for me and being able to see the difference we can make in our community.”