FORT MYERS, Fla. - In the continuation of a game started Apr. 2, Florida Gulf Coast University turned a triple play but saw Florida International University rally back to earn a 7-6 win in a game that started at Swanson Stadium and finished in Miami.
The Eagles led 6-2 after one inning of play in the FGCU portion of the game.
Harrison Povey started the scoring with an RBI single, with the Eagles taking advantage of an error on a fielder's choice off the bat of
Javier Gorostola. After an out at second, the throw to first to get Gorostola went awry.
Jacob Lojewski scored on the batted ball, and
Robert Moya came home on the error to make it 3-2.
Derek Lopez lifted a sacrifice fly to center to stretch the led to two, then RBI doubles by
Trevor Kole and
Jason Roberts gave the Eagles the four-run lead.
FIU would trim the lead to three after a solo homer in the top of the second. Once FGCU was retired in the bottom of the second, the game was halted due to a power failure with one of the light towers that illuminated the area between the pitcher's mound and home plate, also making fly balls to the left side of the field difficult to see. After a delay, the game would be suspended to Apr. 10.
When the game restarted, the Eagles got off to the strongest start defensively a team can have. After two hit batters put runners on first and second,
Alejandro Valiente would force a grounder near the bag at third for Gorostola. The freshman fielded, stepped on the bag, and turned to
Trevor Kole at second for the second out. Kole then relayed onto first to get the batter for a 5-4-3 triple play.
That would be one of the last highlights of the game for the Eagles. FIU would score four times in the fourth to take a 7-6 lead. Twice, the Eagles would get the tying run into scoring position, but twice the Eagles would come up empty as the Panthers took the win.
