FORT MYERS, Fla. – For the first time in 2021, and the 23rd time in program history, the FGCU baseball team (7-2) picked up a win over a ranked opponent, as the Eagles shutout No. 21 FAU, 8-0, on Friday night in Boca Raton.

The Owls, who entered the series ranked seventh in the nation in scoring, were blanked for the first time this season by the combination of starting pitcher Mason Studstill (Titusville, Fla./Rockledge HS/Miami/Eastern Florida State) and closer Tyler Shuck (Cape Coral, Fla./Canterbury HS). The senior tossed 8.0 frames, fanned nine batters and scattered just two hits in one of his most dominant performances to date. Shuck, a junior, entered in the top of the ninth and retired each of the three Owls that he faced.

On the offensive end, the game was highlighted by sophomore Joe Kinker (North Port, Fla./Venice HS), who tied the program's single-game record with five hits. He is the first player to achieve the feat since former Eagle Zach Orchard did so during a game against USC Upstate in 2016.

"This was one of the most solid games that this program has played in a long time," head coach Dave Tollett said. "We got an unbelievable start from Mason (Studstill). What a night to remember for him. Offensively, this was also one of our better games in a couple of years. We had clutch hitting throughout the night and Joe (Kinker) was just really special. This was a big win for our program."

FGCU was the first to strike in the Friday night tilt, as freshman Jacob Lojewski's (West Palm Beach, Fla./American Heritage Delray) second career home run lifted the team to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Though freshman Ian Farrow (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS) reached base in the following inning with a two-out double, the Eagles were unable to add to their advantage.

After sitting down seven-straight Owls, Studstill was faced with a pair of runners on the corners in FAU's half of the fourth. The starter was able to keep the slate clean, ending any chance for the home team with a double play.

Senior Cameron Krzeminski (Coral Springs, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS), who eventually finished his night 3-for-3 at the plate, kicked off the fifth with a base knock and quickly advanced to third after a single from redshirt-sophomore Brian Ellis (Oviedo, Fla./Hagerty HS). Senior Richie Garcia (Davie, Fla./West Broward HS) added to the scoring with a RBI single of his own that plated Krzeminski and though the Owls made a pitching change, Ellis put the team up 4-0 before the third out was notched.  

The Eagles racked up a combined four runs in the sixth and eighth innings, boosting them to their final 8-0 advantage. Kinker was credited with three of the four RBI, pushing across a pair of runners in the sixth and one in the eighth. Junior Alejandro Figueredo (Sucre, Venezuela/West Oaks HS/Seminole State) brought in the team's last run of the night when he plated Ellis with a sac fly.

From the fifth inning through the eighth, Studstill continued to stifle FAU's offense. The Owls were able to work two baserunners on during that span, but neither one advanced past first. In his final frame of work, the right-hander issued a walk but his ninth strikeout of the night ended any chance for FAU to score. With just three outs left in the ballgame, FGCU called Shuck out from the bullpen and the closer sat down the three Owls he faced in order.

With the win, the Eagles avenged the 3-1 loss that they suffered to FAU earlier this season (Feb. 23). The victory also marks the team's first over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 22 Pepperdine at Swanson Stadium during the 2020 season.

Game two of the series between FGCU and FAU will be played on Saturday, March 6 in Fort Myers. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game will be open to approximately 500 fans. The teams will then head back to Boca Raton for the series finale on Sunday, March 7 (2 p.m.). For further details, click HERE.

For complete coverage of FGCU baseball, follow the Eagles on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FGCU_Baseball and online at www.FGCUAthletics.com. You can also sign up to have news on FGCU baseball or other programs delivered directly to your inbox by visiting www.fgcuathletics.com/email.

COACH TOLLETT
FGCU coach Dave Tollett currently owns a 615-367-3 overall record (.626) and a 199-109 (.646) record in the ASUN. 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 five-time ASUN Coach of the Year and has guided the Green and Blue to five 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, 33 draft picks, three current major leaguers, 13 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.

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IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
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FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April 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 84 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 13 seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just nine seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 38 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including women's basketball (No. 24, 2019-20) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate (APR) in their sport and have had the highest percentage of teams so honored from these two groups over each of the past three years. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.46 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 22 consecutive semesters. The 2019 Fall and 2020 Spring semesters each saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher team GPA. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
 
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