FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU baseball team (7-2) dug out their second win in the series against Siena (2-6) Friday night at Swanson Stadium, earning a 17-6 victory.

Tonight's victory marks the fifth-straight win by the Green and Blue. Over the past five games, the Eagles have scored 38 runs compared to eight by their visitors. The team's current average of 9.4 runs per game puts them at 14th in the nation in scoring offense.

"I think it's all about offense for us," FGCU head coach Dave Tollett said. "Shuck was also really, really good. He kept us in the ballgame until we took the lead and he did exactly what we needed him to do. For Gonzalez, it was his first time leading off and he finished with four hits. Brait had three hits and Kinker had two hits, so tonight the top of the lineup really did it for us."

The Eagles started off the game with hot bats, driving in five runs in the first inning. Eric Gonzalez (Miami, FL/American HS/ASA College), Alex Brait (Viera, FL/Viera HS) and Joe Kinker (Northport, FL/Venice HS) all scored for the home team.

In the third inning, the Saints responded with five runs of their own to even things up. Both teams were knotted at six runs heading into the sixth inning. Kinker provided the go-ahead run with a single up the middle that drove in Brait and from there, the Eagles never looked back.

Richie Garcia (Davie, FL/West Broward HS) led the Green and Blue, finishing with three RBIs on three hits. Gonzalez was 4-for-6 and scored three runs, Brait finished the game with three hits and a pair of runs and Kinker was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Keith Stevens (Miami, FL/Miami Killian HS/Hillsborough CC), Elijah Eusebio (Miami, FL/Coral Gables HS), Christian Proffitt (Cape Coral, FL/Ida Baker HS) and Nic Nolan (Niceville, FL/Niceville HS) each tacked on a hit for the Eagles.

Nikolas Bitner (Palm Coast, FL/Flagler Palm Coast HS/Indian River) started the game for FGCU and, despite only making it through two innings, struck out five. Garrett Bye (Riverview, FL/Riverview HS/Miami Dade USF) and Gus Carter (Melbourne, FL/Eau Gallie HS/Florida Southwestern) let up a combined five runs in their quick relief appearances.

With things knotted up at six runs, the Eagles called on right-handed pitcher Tyler Shuck (3-0) (Cape Coral, FL/Canterbury HS) to take over the game. Shuck faced 26 batters through 6.1 innings of work, allowing just one run and fanning four while picking up his third win of the season.

The Saints' six runs all came from different players. Ryan McGee, Brian Kelly, Nico Ramos, Eddie Sweeney, Carson Dunkel and Evan St. Claire all crossed home plate for the visiting team. The six runs also match the most let up by FGCU this season. The only other time the Eagles let up more than five runs was against Bethune-Cookman during the teams' season opener on Friday, Feb. 15.

UP NEXT
The Eagles will wrap up their series against Siena with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the finale following directly after.

WE'VE GOT YOUR SEAT
Experience FGCU Baseball and Softball this season. The following ticket opportunities are on sale now:
Group Sales
Bring your group of 15 or more to an FGCU Baseball or Softball game. All group tickets include your choice of concessions or an FGCU hat ($15 value), in-game group recognition and more. For more information on group outings, click HERE or call 239-590-7145.
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets are available for all remaining home games. Adult tickets are $7 each. Discounted tickets are available for current or former Military and Youth ages 3-15 for just $5 each. Baseball and Softball Frequent Flyer Cards allow multiple entries for more than 50 percent off the adult rate. Choose 34 baseball entries for $105 or 17 softball entries for $55. Purchase online HERE or call 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.
 
COACH TOLLETT
FGCU coach Dave Tollett currently owns a 572-339-3 record. 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.
 
5X CHAMPS
The 2017 season was a magical one for the Green and Blue that ended in the program's first Division I NCAA Championship tournament berth. The Eagles ended the year 43-20, which included a midweek sweep over No. 2 Florida, single wins over No. 1 Florida State, Miami, and a three-game sweep at UNC Wilmington. The wins over Miami, FSU, and UF marked the first time FGCU defeated all three programs in the same season.
 
Reaching as high as No. 9 in the polls, the highest of any program at FGCU, the Eagles struggled in April but bounced back to finish third in the ASUN. During the ASUN Championship, FGCU won four games in a span of 29 hours for their first tournament crown.
 
The Green and Blue earned the No. 2 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional, defeating Michigan 10-6 before losses to Davidson and North Carolina ended their season. The tournament title added to FGCU's four regular season crowns.
 
#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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