FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast Univerity baseball dominated and run-ruled Florida International University on Tuesday, 13-3, in a midweek battle at Swanson Stadium.
FGCU has defeated the Panthers twice this season, outscoring FIU 21-7 in those games. The final midweek matchup against FIU is scheduled for next Tuesday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at Swanson Stadium. With back-to-back wins, FGCU has improved to 15-21 overall.
The Eagles wasted no time Tuesday putting their first run on the board. Robert Moya sent a fly ball just deep enough into left field for a productive sacrifice fly to plate Jake McKee. In the bottom of the fourth, FGCU took a 2-0 lead off a Jon Embury solo blast that sailed over the right field wall, his third home run of the year.
FIU briefly took the lead in the following inning with a three-run fifth. However, FGCU responded with a five-spot to reclaim the lead and a 7-3 advantage heading into the sixth. FGCU scored its five runs on four hits and FIU two errors. Cayden Hessemeyer drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single through the left side of the infield. The Panthers never recovered and rolled out eight different arms.
FGCU added three runs in the sixth, one run in the seventh and two in the eighth to enact the mercy rule. The winning run was scored on a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning.
Seven different Eagles recorded a hit Tuesday. Evan Dempsey had a day, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBIs and two doubles for his 10 multi-hit game this season. Jake Mummau was the only other Eagle with a multi-hit night. As a team, FGCU tallied 10 hits and also drew eight walks. Hessemyer, Harrison Povey and Mac Moise each drove in a pair of runs – Povey's 11th multi-RBI performance.
On the bump, Leo Giannoni was credited with his first win of the season. He recorded two strikeouts in two innings of relief work.
FGCU now heads to Jacksonville this Thursday for another road ASUN series. FGCU took two out of three in Fort Myers during the first series matchup against JU earlier this season.
