FORT MYERS, Fla. - Coming off another extra-innings win over a cross-coast rival, Florida Gulf Coast University will turn its attention to the start of the Atlantic Sun Conference baseball slate for 2024 as the Eagles play host to Bellarmine University for a three-game set. The contests get going Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Swanson Stadium.

PROBABLE STARTERS
FRIDAY: Lucas Hartman (3-1, 3.95 ERA) vs. Devin Ecklar (0-0, 8.53 ERA)
SATURDAY: Anthony Ursitti (0-2, 8.53 ERA) vs. Blake Donnan (0-3, 10.13 ERA)
SUNDAY: Chase Kriebel (0-1, 5.29 ERA) vs. Hudson Cornett (0-0, 13.50 ERA)

FGCU (6-10) got a pair of homers from Evan Dempsey and a tie-breaking blast in the 10th inning from Mac Moise Wednesday night to get a victory over Florida International University, 8-7. Dempsey started the scoring with a grand slam in the first, then connected on a solo shot in the sixth as part of a 3-for-5 effort with five RBI and 10 total bases. Moise joined Dempsey with a multi-hit game, as did Javier Gorostola and Robert Moya.

The win over FIU was the second win in extra innings for the Eagles this season. The other also came in the Miami metropolitan area as FGCU defeated the University of Miami 12-10 in 12 innings Feb. 28.

Bellarmine (1-15) is looking to turn its season around with the start of ASUN play. Since an opening day win at Tennessee Tech, the Knights have dropped 15 straight contests. In their last contest, the Knights trailed 5-4 entering the bottom of the eighth, but Eastern Illinois pushed four runs across to seal a 9-4 victory.

This will be the first time the two programs meet on the baseball field. FGCU was selected to finish second in the ASUN this season, with Bellarmine picked to place 12th.

Saturday's contest will be at 2 p.m., with Sunday's finale set for 1 p.m. All games will stream on ESPN+.