FORT MYERS, Fla. – Welcoming in-state rival FSU to Fort Myers for the first time in program history, the #21 FGCU baseball team (15-3) not only earned its third straight win against the visiting Seminoles (13-5, 2-1 ACC), but also defeated the #1 team in the country for the first time in program history as the Eagles emerged victorious, 5-2, Wednesday night in JetBlue Park.

A crowd of 3,489 was on hand to see FGCU continue its best start in Division I program history and cap off its 10-game stretch against #1 or #2 seeds in last year's NCAA Tournament with a 9-1 record. The Eagles also completed a 13-game stretch against 2016 NCAA Tournament teams at 11-2 with tonight's win.

After falling behind, 2-0, in the top of the first, FGCU got both runs back and then some as Eli Lovell (Lincoln, Neb./Kansas City Kansas CC/Lincoln Southwest HS) followed back-to-back singles from Matt Reardon (Palm City, Fla./Martin County HS) and Julio Gonzalez (Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Seminole State College (OK)/Brito Miami Private HS) with a two-RBI double off the wall in left-center field to even the score. Lovell then came in to score and take the lead as Spencer Levine (Miami, Fla./Seminole State College/Miami Killian Senior HS) got a good read from first on a pitch in the dirt and drew a throw from FSU catcher Cal Raleigh that made its way into center field.

Junior reliever Kenton Hering (3-1, 4.30) turned in arguably the most important performance of the night as he entered the game in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out. With FSU threatening to tie or take the lead, Hering (Melbourne, Fla./Eastern Florida State/Viera HS) struck out FSU preseason All-Americans Taylor Walls and Dylan Busby to hold the Seminoles scoreless and preserve a 4-2 lead.

"This one feels great," said FGCU head coach Dave Tollett. "Florida State is one of the best programs in the country year in and year out. It just feels awesome. When we answered back in the first, our guys really believed they belonged in this ballgame. The top of the seventh – with Kenton striking out two batters with the bases loaded – was one of the bigger innings we've ever had pitched here at FGCU. For him to do that against the #1 team in the country, I still have chills. That was a big-time inning for FGCU baseball."

After FGCU starter Mario Leon (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS) struck out the first two Seminoles of the game, he ran into some trouble as back-to-back walks and a passed ball put a pair of runners in scoring position. FSU then jumped out to an early lead as Raleigh hit a two-RBI single to right-center field. However, Leon did a good job to minimize the damage as he stranded the bases loaded.

The Eagles quickly reclaimed the lead in the aforementioned bottom of the first before extending it two innings later as Levine followed back-to-back walks and a sacrifice bunt to start the inning with a RBI groundout to short. It was Levine's 18th RBI of the season – tying him for the team lead.

From there, despite walking nine batters and hitting three more, the FGCU pitching staff held FSU off the scoreboard as the Seminoles recorded only one hit past the second inning and stranded the bases loaded on three occasions. The Seminoles ultimately left 15 runners on base.

Right hander Peyton Gray (Columbus, Ind./Gulf Coast State/Columbus East HS) followed Leon's 4.0-inning performance with 2.1 scoreless innings despite struggling with his command. Hering then tossed 1.2 perfect frames with a trio of strikeouts and paved the way for senior Sterling Koerner (Fort Pierce, Fla./John Carroll HS) to earn his ASUN-best fifth save of the season and 12th save of his career with a perfect ninth inning. Koerner is now one save shy of tying the FGCU career record in the category.

Entering the ninth, the FGCU offense gave Koerner a little more breathing room as the Eagles manufactured a run in the home half of the eighth. After a walk, single and sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out, Richie Garcia (Davie, Fla./West Broward HS) ripped a first-pitch fastball to left-center field. FSU left fielder Rhett Aplin made a nice running catch, but Garcia did the job as Jake Smith (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Prep) scampered in from third to score and push the lead to the 5-2 final score.

Each of the Eagles' three straight wins against FSU has come with the Seminoles ranked in the top-10. FGCU shutout then #7 FSU, 5-0, during the 2015 season and also earned a dramatic, extra-inning win against then #4 FSU by taking down the Seminoles,11-8, in Tallahassee a season ago. 

UP NEXT
FGCU welcomes Big Ten foe Rutgers (6-10) to Swanson Stadium for the second straight season. The two teams split a pair of midweek games a season ago, and FGCU trails the Scarlet Knights, 1-3, in the all-time series.

TICKETS
Single game and season ticket packages for the 2017 FGCU baseball season are now on sale. Season tickets for games contested at Swanson Stadium can be purchased for $99, while single game tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth (12 and under), military and groups. For questions or more information, please contact the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145.

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.

DAVE TOLLETT
In his 15th season of work, FGCU head coach Dave Tollett has compiled a 505-299-3 record (.626) as the only head coach in the program's history. He is a four-time ASUN Coach of the Year and has guided the Green and Blue to four ASUN Regular Season Championships. His team has been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets and has coached 42 All-Conference selections, 27 draft picks, three current major leaguers, 19 current minor leaguers, four ASUN Pitchers of the Year, four All-Americans, two ASUN Players of the Year, one National Freshman Player of the Year, one National Player of the Year and one five-time MLB All-Star.

#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.