FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU baseball team (2-1) opened the new season with a series victory after defeating Bethune-Cookman (1-2) 12-5 in Sunday's finale at Swanson Stadium.
 
The Eagles got to work early, scoring a pair of runs in the second thanks to another home run from Jay Hayes (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lyman HS). The senior has only played in two games thus far but is currently 5-for-8 with three home runs, six runs scored and a whopping nine RBIs.
 
Bethune-Cookman fought back with a three-run fifth inning and added an additional tally in the top of the sixth to move ahead 4-3. The Eagles went back to work after that, however, plating five runs in the home half of the sixth and four in the seventh to complete the scoring. The FGCU pitching staff shut down the visitors the rest of the way, allowing just one run across the final three frames.
 
"Our bats have been extremely productive these last two days," FGCU coach Dave Tollett said. "Our 1-2-3 hitters were absolutely awesome today, and we got another big performance from the freshman Joe Kinker. (Richie) Garcia, (Alex) Brait and (Marc) Coffers are our leaders. They have been here awhile, and they did an awesome job of getting this thing going for us."
 
Junior Marc Coffers (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS) had a strong day at the dish, finishing 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored. Junior Richie Garcia (Davie, Fla./West Broward HS) and true freshman Joe Kinker (Northport, Fla./Venice HS) both had three hits, and the duo combined for two RBIs and two runs scored. Junior Alex Brait (Viera, Fla./Viera HS) was 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored.
 
Junior Trey Vickery (Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek HS) (1-0) made his first appearance on the mound this season and earned the win after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in 2.0 innings of relief. Junior Mason Studstill (Titusville, Fla./Rockledge Senior HS) took the ball first and lasted 4.0 innings. He earned a no-decision after conceding two unearned runs on two hits, while striking out four and walking one. Junior Keegan Collett (Dallas, Texas/Trinity Christian) and sophomore Gus Carter (Melbourne, Fla./Eau Gallie HS) combined to throw the final 3.0 frames. They were lights out, allowing no hits and just one combined walk, while striking out three.
 
FGCU outhit BCU 14-7, and the Eagles have now won their opening series each of the last three years.
 
Joseph Fernando was the lone Wildcat with multiple hits, as he finished 2-for-4 with a run. Over Torres drove in a pair of teammates, and Josten Heron scored twice.
 
Tyler Krull lasted 5.0 innings for Bethune-Cookman and made his exit after conceding three runs on five hits. Jordan Pinto (1-1) suffered the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits in 1.1 frames.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles now prepare for a Monday clash with Big Ten Conference power Ohio State. FGCU will welcome the Buckeyes at 5 p.m. Feb. 18 at Swanson Stadium. OSU (3-0) qualified for an NCAA Championship Regional last season and is undefeated this year after sweeping Seton Hall to open the new campaign.
 
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
FGCU head coach Dave Tollett entered 2019 with a 565-337-3 record (.629). He is 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 No. 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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