Florida Gulf Coast University rallied back from a four-run deficit to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Florida Atlantic University answered back with three in the bottom of the frame to defeat the Eagles, 9-6, Tuesday afternoon in Boca Raton, Fla.
The Eagles (23-23) trailed 6-2 entering the eighth inning before storming back with four runs to knot the game back up. Back-to-back RBI doubles by
Evan Dempsey and
Jacob Lojewski cut the deficit in half, 6-4. After a
Harrison Povey single put runners on the corners,
Robert Moya laced a single up the middle just out of the reach of the shortstop to score Lojewski and make it 6-5. After a strikeout,
Trevor Kole nearly put the Eagles ahead, but his deep shot to right caromed off the wall for a double, scoring Povey and knotting the score. The Eagles would end up loading the bases in the inning with one out, but they would be unable to score the go-ahead run.
FAU would come back in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back solo homers to start the inning and take an 8-6 lead. A double play would bring in the final run for FAU as the hosts took a 9-6 lead into the ninth.
The Eagles would attempt to mount one more charge. With two men out, Povey and Moya each walked and
Javier Gorostola was hit by a full count pitch to load the bases. However, first base would be as close as FGCU would get to getting the tying run home as a strikeout ended the game one batter later.
Both teams scored an unearned run to start the game as the score was tied 1-1 after one. FAU (23-23) scored two in the fourth, then FGCU plated one in the fifth as
Charles Davalan homered to right to make it 3-2. FAU scored three times in the bottom of the inning, setting the stage for the late-game dramatics.
Nine different pitchers saw action for the Eagles.
Anthony Ursitti,
Ryland Bozenhard,
William Haberstock, and
Derek Crum each pitched a scoreless inning, with Ursitti striking out the side in his outing.
The Eagles will back in action Friday as Eastern Kentucky University visits Swanson Stadium for the start of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
