JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After getting out to an early lead for the second straight game, FGCU (28-15, 4-8 ASUN) again failed to preserve its advantage as the Eagles lost the finale at UNF (29-15, 10-2 ASUN), 10-5, and suffered a series sweep at the hands of the Ospreys at Harmon Stadium.

The sweep in conference play was FGCU's first of the season and third since the start of the 2016 conference season. Prior to last year, the Eagles had only suffered three sweeps since joining the ASUN in 2008.

FGCU got out to an early advantage thanks to a two-run home run from Nick Rivera (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) followed by a solo shot from Alex Brait (Viera, Fla./Viera HS) in the top of the first inning. However, UNF scored five unanswered runs from the second through the fifth innings while also adding a combined five runs in the sixth and seventh innings to down the Green and Blue.

After FGCU starter Garrett Anderson (Arcadia, Fla./DeSoto County HS) allowed three runs on 10 hits in only 3.0 innings of work, Sterling Koerner (2-3, 6.31) entered the game and suffered the loss in 4.0 innings of relief. As a staff, the Eagles allowed 10 runs on 20 hits – its second highest total of the season – and have now allowed double digit hits in six straight contests. Opposite the Green and Blue, UNF starter Brad Deppermann earned the win after allowing four runs on six hits in 6.1 innings of work. The Ospreys struck out eight FGCU batters and didn't issue a walk.

"We got some big hits in the game, there just wasn't anyone on base to drive in when the hits came," said FGCU head coach Dave Tollett. "It was a tough week and weekend for us. We'll get back to Fort Myers, try to figure some things out tomorrow and head over to take on a tough FAU team in Boca Raton on Tuesday."

All five of FGCU's runs in the game came via the long ball, and the Eagles' four home runs in the contest were not only its most in a single game since also registering four round baggers against UNF on Apr. 18, 2014, but are also tied for the fourth most in a single game in program history.

Following Rivera and Brait's first-inning homers, UNF cut into FGCU's lead with a run in the bottom of the second, evened the game with two more in its next at-bat and took the lead with two more in the home half of the fifth.

Rivera hit his second home run of the game and team-best 10th of the season with one out in the top of the sixth, but UNF responded in the home half as the Ospreys scored two runs in an inning for the third time, both coming on a single from Chris Berry. UNF continued to add on to its lead with three more runs following the seventh inning stretch, two of which came on a home run from Chris Thibideau.

The two-home-run game from Rivera was his second of the season and fifth of his illustrious FGCU career. He has now totaled 36 home runs while donning the Green and Blue and is five shy of matching Zach Maxfield's program record.

FGCU pinch hitter Eli Lovell (Lincoln, Neb./Kansas City Kansas CC/Lincoln Southwest HS) continued the barrage of long balls with a two-out, solo homer in the top of the ninth to cap off the scoring for the day.

UP NEXT
FGCU will travel across Alligator Alley to take on cross state-rival FAU for the second time this season Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Eagles defeated the Owls, 7-5, in a dramatic affair earlier this season.

TICKETS
Single game tickets for the remainder of the 2017 FGCU baseball season are on sale. 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 518-311-3 record (.623) 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, 15 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 visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.