BOX SCORE (PDF)
WP | Tim Shannon (1-1): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
LP | Devin Smeltzer (0-1): 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
SV | Matt Fiedler (1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU baseball team (5-7-1) brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after trailing 8-2 entering the inning but would not be able to complete the comeback, giving Minnesota (3-7) the win and the sweep on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles will return to the field in Miami on Wednesday for the first of three games with the Hurricanes this season.

Freshman lefty Devin Smeltzer (Voorhees, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep) made his third start of the season and worked through 4.0 innings, striking out one while giving up three runs, eventually taking the first loss of his career. The Eagles would use six arms out of the bullpen with the last three, Nick Deckert (Tallahassee, Fla./Tallahassee CC), Jack English (Delray Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman HS) and Jordan Desguin (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor), being the most impressive. Those three combined to toss 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball while striking out two batters and walking just one.

Nick Rivera (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) and Zach Spivey (Ormond Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek HS) were the only Eagles to pick up multiple hits while, surprisingly, it was Preseason Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Jake Noll (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte HS) providing the power out of the leadoff spot. The sophomore went 1-3, striking the first homerun of his career and driving in two. The Eagles would send eight batters to the plate in the ninth when trailing 8-2 but were unable to pick up more than a pair of runs, leaving the bases loaded.

"The ninth inning rally was encouraging but we need to do a better job of not needing to be in that situation," head coach Dave Tollett said. "To Minnesota's credit, they found holes today and strung together hits when they needed to. We just need to be a little more consistent."

The first eight batters of the game would be retired but that stretch would come to a halt in the top of the second when Matt Stemper smoked the first pitch he saw from Smeltzer over the left field wall for the first run of the ball game. Smeltzer would retire the next batter to avoid any further damage.

With one out in the top of the third, Jordan Smith singled up the middle and stole second, putting a runner in scoring position for Dan Motl who legged out an infield single. Connor Shaefbauer came to the plate for Minnesota with runners on the corners and flew out to center but it would be plenty deep enough to bring in Smith from third to give the Gophers a 2-0 lead. With a runners on first and second with two out following another single, Michael Handel singled through the left side on a 2-2 offering to drive in a third run for Minnesota.  

The Eagles would score their first run of the ball game in the bottom half of the third. Spivey led off the frame with a bunt single then stole second for the first time in his career. Brian Pruett (Sarasota, Fla./Coastal Carolina) followed with a walk then Noll sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Tyler Selesky (Estero, Fla./Estero HS) then came to the plate and grounded out but Spivey was able to score on the play.

Minnesota would be held scoreless until the sixth when they would tack two more runs on the board to pull ahead 5-1. Jake Noll would lead off the bottom half of the sixth and take a 1-2 pitch from Tim Shannon and drive the first homerun of his career over the left field wall to bring the Eagles closer but nothing more would come in the inning.

FGCU pitching would struggle in the seventh, surrendering three more runs and seemingly allowing Minnesota to put this one away. Deckert came on with two outs and runners on first and second and struck out the only batter he faced to end the rally.

The next six Eagle hitters would be retired but in the bottom of the ninth, with new pitcher Jeff Fasching on the mound, the rally was started. Rivera walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A walk and a fly out would put runners on first and third for Adam Eggnatz (Tampa, Fla./Middle Georgia College) who continued his hot start to the 2015 season with a single through the right side to bring in Rivera. Spivey followed with a single of his own to load the bases. The Gophers would go the bullpen and a strikeout would bring up Noll with two outs. He would work a walk to drive in the second run of the inning bringing the tying run, Selesky, to the plate. The Estero native would work a full count but ultimately fly out to center for the final out.

NEXT UP
The Eagles will make their first of two trips to Coral Gables to square off with Miami (6-3) on Mar. 4. The Hurricanes will then travel to Swanson Stadium on Mar. 10 for a 6 p.m. start. Miami finished the 2014 season with the No. 17 RPI in the nation. The Canes streaked to a 45-20 record in 2014 with a 24-6 record in the ACC before advancing to the NCAA Tournament where they fell in the regional.

DAVE TOLLETT
In 12 seasons of work, FGCU head coach Dave Tollett has compiled a 439-245-3 record as the only head coach in the program's history. He is a four-time Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year and has guided the Green and Blue to four A-Sun Regular Season Championships. His team has been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets and has coached 35 All-Conference selections, 22 draft picks, 14 current minor leaguers, four A-Sun Pitchers of the Year, three All-Americans, one National Freshman Player of the Year, one National Player of the Year and one MLB All-Star.

#WINGSUP
Fans are encouraged to download the brand-new Wings Up mobile app in conjunction with SuperFanU. The fully-customized loyalty-rewards platform allows fans to check in at each of FGCU's sporting events to earn points throughout the school year toward exclusive prizes that can't be offered anywhere else.

FOLLOW ALONG
For constant, news, photos, videos and updates you can follow the baseball team on Twitter @FGCU_Baseball, Instagram @FGCU_Baseball or on Facebook: Facebook.com/FGCUBaseball. You can also find FGCU athletics on YouTube by visiting YouTube.com/FGCUEagles.

#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.