FORT MYERS, Fla. – After taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth and extending it to 3-1 in the next frame, the FGCU baseball team (15-17, 2-1 A-Sun) couldn't hold on as Stetson (17-15, 1-2 A-Sun) claimed a 5-3 decision in the series finale at Swanson Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Hatters scratched a run across in the top of the seventh inning to cut FGCU's lead to 3-2 before scoring two more in the next frame to take a 4-3 and tacking on another run in the ninth to make it the eventual final of 5-3.

Stetson reliever Walker Sheller (2-1, 0.74), who made his second appearance out of the bullpen in as many days, held the FGCU offense in check for the final 3.2 innings and earned the win for the Hatters, while FGCU sidearmer Christian Townsend (0-1, 2.84) allowed a pair of runs in the eighth inning and suffered the loss.

"I felt like we pitched well enough to win the game, (Stetson) just seemed to hit the ball in places we weren't positioned," said FGCU head coach Dave Tollett. "Our offense could've provided more run support, but we saw a number of good arms from them today. That's baseball. We'll be back out here tomorrow looking to get better."

Stetson used a heavy dose of small ball to complete the comeback effort as all of its runs in the last three innings came after sacrifice bunts. Two runs scored on RBI groundouts while six of the Hatters' seven hits in the final three frames were groundball singles that found holes in the FGCU defense.

Even so, FGCU had a chance to make some noise in the bottom of the ninth inning with runners on first and second and RBI leader Jake Noll (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte HS) at the plate. However, after Matt Reardon (Palm City, Fla./Martin County HS) and Tyler Selesky (Estero, Fla./Estero HS) reached on back-to-back singles up the middle, Noll was rung up on a tough strike three call as home plate umpire Hank Himmanen deferred to first base umpire Manny Salazar, who said he went around on the swing.

Earlier in the game, Reardon matched Josh Chester for the longest hit streak in program history as he singled up through the right side of the infield in the home half of the third inning to extend his streak to 24 games. Additionally, Selesky reached base for the 25 straight game and matched Noll's season-long streak to start the season.

FGCU starter Ryan Lang (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS) turned in another quality start for the Green and Blue as he allowed two runs on seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. However, he allowed the first two batters to reach in the top of the seventh before being sacrificed into scoring position and was relieved by Townsend with one out in the frame.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the third inning, FGCU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth when designated hitter Corey Fehribach (Douglasville, Fla./West Georgia CC) hit a two-RBI double down the right-field line.

The Eagles then added another in the home half of the sixth after Zach Spivey (Ormond Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek HS) led off the inning with a double down the right-field line and later scored as Tyler Atwell (Venice, Fla./Tallahassee CC) hit a sharp grounder through the legs of third baseman Cory Reid.

It was the next inning that Stetson began its comeback effort and FGCU ultimately dropped only its second game of the season when leading after seven. Despite the loss, the Green and Blue claimed its 55th three-game series in conference play since joining the A-Sun in 2008.

NEXT UP
FGCU welcomes No. 12 Florida Atlantic (22-4) to Swanson Stadium for a game that was originally scheduled for April 29, but was postponed two weeks due to inclement weather. The two teams have met on 14 previous occasions with the Eagles holding a 9-5 advantage over the Owls in the all-time series.

DAVE TOLLETT
In 13+ seasons of work, FGCU head coach Dave Tollett has compiled a 478-281-3 record (.629) 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 39 All-Conference selections, 25 draft picks, 16 current minor leaguers, four A-Sun Pitchers of the Year, four All-Americans, one National Freshman Player of the Year, one National Player of the Year and one MLB All-Star.

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 visitwww.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.