FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU baseball team (0-1) lost a 6-3 decision to Bethune-Cookman (1-0) to open the season Friday night at Swanson Stadium.
 
The Eagles finished with four hits in the first game of the new campaign and conceded seven to the Wildcats.

"We are definitely not going to go undefeated," FGCU coach Dave Tollett said. "We have a lot of work to do. We hope tonight was just first-game jitters."
 
Seniors Keith Stevens and Eric Gonzalez, junior Alex Brait and sophomore Christian Proffitt all had hits for the Green and Blue. Gonzalez tallied an RBI and the three runs were scored by juniors Richie Garcia and Anthony Gonnella, and sophomore Brian Ellis.
 
Sophomore Nikolas Bitner went 5.0 innings on the mound and finished with a no-decision after conceding two runs (one earned) on two hits. He struck out three and walked just two. Junior Sebastian Gruszecki (0-1) tossed the next 2.0 frames and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits to take the loss. Senior Justin Gill and junior Keegan Collett also saw time on the mound.
 
Josten Heron and Danny Rodriguez both had two hits for the visitors. Brady Van Hook drew three walks and scored twice, and Joseph Fernando and Zach Spivey each recorded two RBIs.
 
Anthony Maldonado pitched the first 5.0 innings for the Wildcats and allowed a pair of runs on three hits. He struck out four and walked one. Jordan Pinto (1-0) tossed the next 2.0 frames and earned the win after not allowing a run. Brandon Wilkes threw the final 2.0 innings to collect the save.
 
FGCU took an initial 2-1 lead after two innings. Gonzalez doubled home Gonnella, and Ellis scored on a wild pitch after getting hit during his at-bat.
 
Bethune-Cookman scratched across a game-tying run in the fifth and then plated two go-ahead tallies in the seventh. Both teams added an extra run in the eighth, and the Wildcats completed the scoring with one final insurance marker in the top of the ninth.
 
The Eagles had an opportunity to do some damage to the scoreboard by loading the bases with one out in the eighth, but they were held to just one run in the frame.
 
UP NEXT
The series for the two sides will continue at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 (Saturday) and conclude at 1 p.m. Feb. 17 (Sunday). FGCU will then play host to Ohio State out of the Big Ten at 5 p.m. Feb. 18 (Monday). The first 11 games of the season for the Eagles will be contested at Swanson Stadium.
 
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.
 
COACH TOLLETT
Through 16 full seasons, FGCU head coach Dave Tollett has compiled a 565-337-3 record (.629) as the only head coach in the program's history and led the program to its first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. He is a four-time ASUN Coach of the Year and has guided the Green and Blue to four ASUN Regular Season Championships and one ASUN Tournament Championship. His team has been ranked nationally on several occasions, including as high as #9 in the country in 2017, and has coached 54 All-Conference selections, 31 draft picks, three current major leaguers, 15 current minor leaguers, four ASUN Pitchers of the Year, four All-Americans, three ASUN Players of the Year, one National Freshman Player of the Year, one National Player of the Year and one seven-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.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 73 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11+ seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 34 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best 6th-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the Spring, 2018 and had an ASUN Conference and State of Florida best five teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours – being recognized as one of two runner-ups for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
 
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