TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In what turned out to be a weather-shortened season series finale between the Eagles and Seminoles, #9 FGCU (24-7, 1-2 ASUN) ended up on the wrong end of a one-run ballgame for the second straight day as #19 FSU (20-11, 6-6 ACC) earned a five-inning, 3-2, win Wednesday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium.

With inclement weather in the Southeastern part of the country for much of the day, rain and lightning moved into the Tallahassee area approximately 90 minutes after first pitch. After a steady rain fell for about 20 minutes, the game was called and official as the Seminoles would've been up to bat with a lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Prior to the delay, FGCU started a two-out rally and loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning. However, cleanup hitter Corey Fehribach (Douglasville, Ga./West Georgia CC/Alexander HS) went down swinging as FSU and southpaw pitcher Grant Stewart escaped the inning unscathed.

The loss is the Eagles' fourth straight after getting off to the best start in program history at 24-3. Three of FGCU's four losses during the span have either been by one-run or in extra innings. Additionally, with Wednesday's decision, FSU took the season series, 2-1.

"It was another close loss against a tough opponent on the road," said FGCU head coach Dave Tollett. "Early on, it didn't look like we were going to be able to play the game, but it turned out the weather cleared up a bit. We knew we might not get the whole game in and couldn't come through with the big hit when we needed it. We have another big conference series against Stetson this weekend, and are looking to get back on track."

FGCU threatened early as Julio Gonzalez (Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Seminole State (OK)/Brito Miami Private HS) hit a leadoff double for the second straight day and advanced to third as Dylan Busby wasn't able to handle the throw to the infield from shortstop Taylor Walls. However, the FGCU leadoff man was stranded following a pair of strikeouts from FSU starter Will Zirzow and a fly out to left field.

After FGCU starting pitcher Peyton Gray (3-1, 4.03) had faced the minimum through 2.0 innings, Spencer Levine (Miami, Fla./Seminole State College/Miami Killian Senior HS) won a 12-pitch at-bat with a one-out single to center field in the top of the third, and Gonzalez followed with a single through the right side. Following a sacrifice bunt that put both runners in scoring position with two outs, Nick Rivera (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) came through as he drove both in on a single to left field.

FSU drew closer in its next at-bat, but Gray (Columbus, Ind./Gulf Coast State/Columbus East HS) and the FGCU defense did a good job of minimizing the damage. With one run already in, FSU had the bases loaded with nobody out and last night's hero Jackson Lueck at the plate. Lueck then ripped a line drive to the right side of the infield, but Fehribach made a great diving catch and stepped on first to double off Taylor Walls. Gray then got Rhett Aplin to ground out to third base as FGCU preserved its lead.

FSU cleanup hitter Quincy Nieporte led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a bloop single into shallow right field and came in to score the tying run on a RBI triple from Cal Raleigh. The Seminoles then scored what turned out to be the game-winning run on a RBI single through the left side of the infield from Dylan Busby.

Gonzalez started a two-out rally and put FGCU in a good position to tie or take the lead with his third hit in back-to-back games. The Eagles then loaded the bases after Gage Morey (West Palm Beach, Fla./PB Central HS) was hit by a pitch and Rivera was intentionally walked following a wild pitch, but the Eagles left them loaded as Fehribach struck out to end the frame and what turned out to be the game.

Offensively, Gonzalez accounted for three of the Eagles' five hits and finished the two-game midweek set 6-for-7 with two doubles and a triple. Rivera and Levine turned in the other two base knocks for the Eagles, and Rivera finished the midweek series with four RBI. The Eagles struggled to put the ball in play, though, as FSU recorded nine of its 15 outs in game two via the strikeout.

UP NEXT
FGCU travels to DeLand, Fla., to take on Stetson (13-17, 3-0 ASUN) in its second ASUN series of the season. Game one between the Eagles and Hatters is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by game two Saturday at 2 p.m. and the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.   
 
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 514-303-3 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, 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.