FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast (9-2) secured an 11-5 victory over Boston College (5-4) Saturday evening at Swanson Stadium, evening the three-game series being played in Fort Myers.
The win came exactly two years to the day of FGCU's last win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent, a 12-10 (12 inn.) victory over Miami on Feb. 28, 2024.
All nine starters for FGCU reached base by the fifth inning, and the Florida-based Eagles exploded for a seven-run rally in the fourth inning, amassing six hits, including four doubles in the frame. BC managed late-game efforts with two runs each in the eighth and ninth innings but could not overcome the FGCU early lead.
Javier Gorostola again was dangerous at the plate, collecting three hits – including a double – and driving in two runs.
Jon Embury contributed with two hits and two RBIs while also scoring twice. Brandyn Gonzalez, in his first start in an FGCU uniform, went registered his first hit, run and RBI as an Eagle.
The offensive prowess of the Green & Blue was not the only success for FGCU.
Chris Diaz (1-0) was efficient in his start, recording six strikeouts and allowing only one run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings to secure the win.
In all, a quartet of FGCU pitchers allowed just one walk while fanning 10 Boston College batters. Elliot Cadieaux Lanoue matched a career-high two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings on the mound.
Tyler Mudd (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season for Boston College, starting the game and being one of three BC pitchers to allow at least three runs on four hits.
Julio Solier was a standout performer for BC, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, three doubles, and two RBIs, showcasing his ability to deliver in key situations. Nick Wang also contributed significantly, hitting a home run and driving in three runs while collecting three hits in five at-bats.
Evan Dempsey began the hit barrage in the first inning for the Eagles with a double to right center. Embury followed with a walk, and Gorostola delivered an RBI double down the left field line, bringing Dempsey home and advancing Embury to third.
Jeremy Comer then singled to left field, scoring Embury and moving Gorostola to third. Gorostola scored on a balk, putting the Green & Blue ahead 3-1 after one inning.
In the fourth inning, Lasher walked and
Cayden Hessemyer singled, setting up Brandyn Gonzalez, who doubled to right field, scoring Lasher. Following a pitching change, Embury added a two-RBI single to right center to bring home Hessemyer and Gonzalez. Gorostola's single to left field scored Dempsey, and
Jaret Nelson continued with an RBI double to left. Lasher capped the inning with a two-RBI single to left center, extending the Eagles' lead to 10-1 through four innings.
BC added two runs in the eighth inning with a two-run home run by Wang, cutting the lead to 10-3. However, the Eagles responded in the bottom half of the inning with
Wilfred Gonzalez's RBI single that scored Comer, making it 11-3.
In the ninth, BC scratched across a couple runs with a two-RBI double by Solier, but that would be all they could manage.
The rubber game of the three-game series is set for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday, Mar. 1 at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers.
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Game Notes:
- With the win, FGCU is now within one win of evening the all-time series against BC, trailing only 4-3.
- Saturday's victory over Boston College marked the first FGCU win over an ACC opponent since defeating Miami, 12-10 (12 inn.), exactly two years prior.
- Logan Eisenbarth - Achieved 2 pitching strikeouts swinging for the first time this season.
- Jon Embury - Achieved at least 2 hits in 3 consecutive games.
- Javier Gorostola - Recorded at least 3 hits in 2 consecutive games.
- Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue – Matched a career-high and recorded a season-high total of 2 strikeouts swinging.
- Cole Lasher - Achieved a season-high of 2 runs batted in.
- Brandyn Gonzalez - Recorded a season-high total of 1 run batted in.
