FORT MYERS, Fla. – Behind the first cycle in program history from Julio Gonzalez and a Division I program record nine RBI from Nick Rivera, the FGCU baseball team (17-3) scored 13 unanswered runs from the fourth inning on and defeated Rutgers (6-12), 13-4, Saturday afternoon at Swanson Stadium.

As far as records indicate, Gonzalez (Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Seminole State College (OK)/Brito Miami Private HS) used a double in the first, single in the fifth, home run in the seventh and triple in the eighth to turn in the first cycle in FGCU's history. The Puerto Rico native when 4-for-5 in the game with three runs scored.

Rivera (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) was the one who got things going, though, as he hit a three-run shot in the bottom of the fourth and grand slam in the fifth en route to driving in a Division I program record nine runs in the game, which also matched the program's all-time record. Rivera's four hits and two home runs each matched career highs. It was his fourth game with multiple home runs in his career and first since April 2, 2015.

FGCU's two through six hitters accounted for all 13 runs - matching a season high - and 14 hits in the game. Gonzalez and Rivera went a combined 8-for-10 with five runs scored and 10 RBI, while Eli Lovell (Lincoln, Neb./Kansas City Kansas CC/Lincoln Southwest HS), Corey Fehribach (Douglasville, Ga./West Georgia CC/Alexander HS) and Spencer Levine (Miami, Fla./Seminole State College/Miami Killian Senior HS) each recorded a pair of hits. Levine drove in a pair of runs for the second straight game, while Lovell scored four runs.

With the win, FGCU claimed its sixth straight series to start the season – including the team's midweek sweep against then #2 Florida. Additionally, the Green and Blue matched the program's best 20-game start to a season at 17-3. FGCU was also 17-3 in the first 20 games of the 2005 season and went on to start that campaign 23-3.

"I thought we put together quality at bats and squared up pitches early on but just didn't get anything to show," said FGCU head coach Dave Tollett. "Nick and Julio had unbelievable days at the plate. It was just amazing. Anytime you see the cycle, it's a special day. And my gosh, there's no one happier to have Nick Rivera back than me. Those guys just had a phenomenal day and carried the offense."

Despite the quality at bats Tollett mentioned, FGCU managed only two hits and found itself in a 4-0 deficit entering the bottom of the fourth inning. However, that's when the offense started to produce behind Rivera's aforementioned three-run bomb. After Lovell and Fehribach started the inning with back-to-back singles, Rivera sent a 2-0 pitch off the net in right field to cut Rutgers' lead to one.

The following inning, the Cape Coral native stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded and came through with a grand slam to catapult the Eagles ahead of the Scarlet Knights, 7-4. The top of the order again did a good job of getting on base for one of the best power hitters in program history, and Rivera didn't disappoint as he followed a pair of singles from Gonzalez and Lovell as well as a hit by pitch from Levine with his second home run of the ballgame.

With the FGCU pitching staff of Josh Dye (4-1, 3.16), Kenton Hering (Melbourne, Fla./Eastern Florida State/Viera HS) and Sebastian Gruszecki (Dudley, Mass./Shepherd Hill Regional HS) holding Rutgers to only two hits past the fourth inning, the Eagles' offense kept its foot on the pedal and scored a combined six runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Needing a triple and home run in his final two at bats, Gonzalez sent the second pitch of the seventh inning over the net in right field to extend the lead to 8-4. Levine and Rivera then followed with back-to-back RBI singles, with Rivera hitting one off the fence in right center and narrowly missing on his third home run of the game. Gage Morey (West Palm Beach, Fla./PB Central HS) drove in the final run of the frame on a fielder's choice up the middle.

Gonzalez again led off the following inning and again sent the second pitch to deep center field. Rutgers' Jawuan Harris made a run at it, but the ball dropped as Harris went crashing into the fence and allowed Gonzalez to round second, head for third and narrowly beat the relay to secure the cycle. After Levine drove in his second run of the game on a grounder up the middle, Rivera sent another ball off the fence in deep right center and circled the bases for the third triple of his career and first since 2015. He drove in his ninth run of the game – matching Ozzie Borrell (2007) and Adam Masino (2004) for the program's all-time record – and capped off the scoring for the day.

UP NEXT
The series finale between the Eagles and Scarlet Knights is on tap for Sunday at 1 p.m. FGCU will send right hander Peyton Gray (1-0, 4.66) to the mound opposite Rutgers' Gaby Rosa (2-0, 0.75).

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 507-299-3 record (.627) 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.