FORT MYERS, Fla. - Florida Gulf Coast University lost the final game of a three-game series against Fairfield University, 12-0, in eight innings Sunday afternoon at Swanson Stadium.
The Eagles (5-10) had a solid start from
Chase Kriebel, who went 4.1 innings and allowed just three runs. Those three runs came in the top of the third when Fairfield (3-11) got a three-run homer from Ethan Hibbard. Kriebel would finish with a career-best six strikeouts, with his 69th and final pitch completing his final K of the afternoon.
Once Kriebel (0-1) left, the Stags would manufacture a run against
Davian Garcia. Garcia would get a pair of strikeouts in the inning, but the run that came home on a Hibbard double would make it 4-0.
Nick love would retire the side in order in the sixth for FGCU, but Fairfield would take advantage of an FGCU error to score a run in the seventh. A sacrifice fly by Hibbard with the bases loaded would bring in the run to make it a 5-0 contest.
FGCU would get its first baserunner of the game in the bottom of the seventh as
Charles Davalan would be hit by a fastball that got too close to the freshman's arm. The Eagles would eventually leave the runner on base in the inning, sending the game on to the eighth at 5-0.
Another FGCU error would allow Fairfield to break the game open in the eighth. After a hit batter, a grounder to first would be fielded and FGCU would attempt to turn two; however, the throw to second base would get into left field, putting runners on the corners. A walk would load the bases, but a sacrifice fly brought in an unearned run from third to make it 6-0. Love would get a strikeout to end the next at bat, but thanks to the error, the inning continued. After a pair of singles brought in a pair of runs, the Eagles were forced to make another pitching change. After a walk loaded the bases, Hibbard connected on his second homer of the game as the grand slam made it 12-0 and gave him nine RBI.
The Eagles would be retired in order in the eighth inning, and the game would be called via run rule.
Blake Helmstetter (1-2) earned the win for Fairfield. He would go seven innings and throw 86 pitches, hitting one batter and striking out nine. Peter Ostensen needed 10 pitches to retire the three batters he faced in the eighth.
The Eagles will be back in action at Florida International University this Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Miami. FGCU will begin Atlantic Sun Conference play Friday at 6:30 p.m. inside Swanson Stadium against Bellarmine University.
NOTES: Davalan extended his streak of games reaching base safely to 15...The game marked the first time in program history that FGCU has been no-hit.
