BOX SCORE (PDF)
WP | Derek Burkamper (2-1): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
LP | Sterling Koerner (2-3): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO

LINCOLN, Neb. – The FGCU baseball team (8-12-1) managed just five hits in the series finale at Nebraska (12-6) but still led 2-0 through four innings on Sunday afternoon. Nebraska would, however, score three unanswered runs over the fifth and sixth innings and pitch well down the stretch to put the Eagles away by a final score of 3-2. FGCU will return home to face Bethune-Cookman next weekend at Swanson Stadium in a three-game set beginning Friday (Mar. 20) at 6:30 p.m.

Freshman Josh Dye (Deland, Fla./Deland HS) made the start for the Eagles and tossed a career-best 4.1 innings and gave up just two hits, allowing one run and striking out three. Jack English (Delray Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman HS) took over and allowed one run in 1.1 innings of work before Sterling Koerner (Fort Pierce, Fla./John Carrol HS) came in and gave up the eventual winning run during his 1.0 innings of action.

At the plate it was Zach Spivey (Ormond Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek HS) leading the FGCU attack with two hits, both doubles and an RBI. The freshman is now hitting .286 on the season with a team-high six doubles in 18 games. Three other Eagles would register a hit but nothing more. FGCU is hitting .265 as a team so far this season.

"It was disappointing not to come out of here with a win," head coach Dave Tollett said. "We had a lead today but weren't able to hold on and we need to be able to hold on to those on the road. When we get in to conference play we are going to need to pick up big wins on the road so hopefully we can learn from this weekend and move forward."

FGCU would be the team to strike first in this one. It was a scoreless game heading into the fourth when Nick Rivera (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) singled up the middle to lead off. Colton Bottomley (Parkland, Fla./Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS) followed with a double to right center bringing up Tyler Selesky (Estero, Fla./Estero HS) who would walk to load the bases. Adam Eggnatz (Tampa, Fla./Middle Georgia College) bounced into a double play but a run would come in to score, giving FGCU a 1-0 lead. Spivey followed with a double, his second of the day, driving in the second run of the inning and pushing FGCU ahead 2-0.

Nebraska answered in the bottom of the fifth. A double down the left field line and a sacrifice bunt would force Dye out of the game in favor of English who gave up a single to the first batter he faced, allowing the runner at second to come around and score. English would pick up a strikeout to end the inning after a batter's interference call resulted in the second out.

In the bottom of the sixth English would record the first two outs of the frame before issuing a walk that brought Koerner into the game. Koerner would give up a triple and single back-to-back that resulted in two runs and pushed the Huskers into the lead, 3-2. FGCU would not put a runner on base the rest of the way as the Nebraska bullpen clamped down and held the lead as it stood.

NEXT UP
FGCU will return home to face defending MEAC Champs Bethune-Cookman (4-15, 4-3 MEAC) Mar. 20-22. The Wildcats went 27-32 last season with a 14-10 record in the MEAC. B-CU currently holds the lead in the all-time series with FGCU, 8-7, but dropped two of three to the Green and Blue last season at home.

Following a midweek tilt with USF (12-6-1), Mar. 24 the Eagles will head to Coral Gables to face Miami for a third time (Mar. 25) before kicking off Atlantic Sun play at North Florida (14-8) Mar. 27-29. FGCU took two of three from the Ospreys during the regular season in 2014 then eliminated them from the A-Sun Tournament in the first round. The Ospreys posted an overall record of 22-31 and played their way into the A-Sun Tournament with an 11-16 league record. FGCU holds the edge in the all-time series, 17-7.

DAVE TOLLETT
In 12 seasons of work, FGCU head coach Dave Tollett has compiled a 442-250-3 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.