FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast used a school-record 19 strikeouts and some late-game heroics by
Jeremy Comer and
Javier Gorostola Friday night, rallying for a 2-1, 10-inning win in the season opener for both teams.
The Eagles' 19 strikeouts not only tied a school record but are the most since 2008, when FGCU fanned 19 Stetson batters. Evan Demspey fanned a career-high 12 over his six innings, with
Preston Rogers adding a pair and
Ashton Pocol contributing five. Pocol (1-0) received the win after going 2 1/3 innings in relief.
"He was good," FGCU head coach
Dave Tollett said of his starter's performance. "I mean, he had his good stuff, but I don't think he had his great stuff. I think there's more there."
In a dramatic tenth inning, FGCU (1-0) secured a victory with a walk-off single by Gorostola. After
Keaton Kangas reached base with a walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout, Gorostola delivered the decisive hit to deep center field, driving in Kangas and sealing the win.
"We have to find a way to win one-run ball games because we're going to see good arms like we saw tonight," Tollett said.
Earlier in the game, NDSU (0-1) broke a scoreless game in the ninth inning with an RBI single to right field. However, the Eagles quickly countered in the bottom half with a solo home run by Comer, leveling the score and setting the stage for extra innings. Despite several key opportunities throughout the game, FGCU left seven runners on base, but timely hitting in the final frame proved crucial.
The contest saw few runs but featured critical pressure moments that highlighted Florida Gulf Coast's resilience and ability to capitalize when it mattered most.
Hudson Hart (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing the winning run on one hit and walking one in 1 1/3 innings on the mound. Cade Wiegert, who also pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowed Comer's home run. As a staff, the Bison issued seven walks while striking out 13.
"The crowd was awesome, and our alumni, I mean, we had so many alumni down the line," Tollett said of the 562 in attendance, the largest home crowd the Eagles have played in front of since 644 attended FGCU's 2022 home opener against Cincinnati. "It was a great atmosphere for FGCU baseball, and I think they got their money's worth and a little extra."
Game two of the three-game series against the Bison is set for Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. at Swanson Stadium. FGCU's
Chris Diaz (6-2, 4.80 last season) is set to face NDSU's Brayden Marks (4-1, 2.09 ERA in 2025) on the mound.
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Game Notes:
- FGCU now leads the all-time series over North Dakota State, 3-0. All three games have been played in Fort Myers.
- The Eagles' pitching staff recorded 19 strikeouts Friday night, matching the program record. It had previously been achieved twice before, in 2004 against Hartwick College and in 2008 at Stetson.
- Evan Dempsey recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts in the game.
- Jeremy Comer hit a home run in his first game as an Eagle.
- The crowd of 562 is the largest crowd for a baseball game at Swanson Stadium since 644 were on hand to watch FGCU host Cincinnati on Feb. 18, 2022, a 9-6 loss to the Bearcats.
Postgame Interviews
