JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There's a reason why Evan Dempsey was named the 2025 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year. Friday night was the reason why he's on that watch list again, taking a perfect game bid into the eighth inning and going 3-for-4 with a walk and a home run at the plate.

The FGCU two-way player was masterful on the mound, recording nine strikeouts in his 7 2/3 innings on the mound. It wasn't until the eighth inning when the Ospreys found a way to ruin a perfectly good evening as Boone Hosey poked a single up the middle.

He tallied three hits at the plate, including a two-run home run in the sixth and an RBI single in the seventh – as part of a 3-for-4 day with three RBIs, a run scored and a walk drawn.

Dempsey would eventually allow three runs on three hits on the mound and was stuck with a no-decision after North Florida (11-12, 3-1 ASUN) scored five runs over the final two innings for a 5-4 final.

Javier Gorostola extended his hitting streak to 40 games with a 3-for-5 night at the plate. FGCU (17-5, 3-1 ASUN) dropped its first conference game of the season despite out-hitting the Ospreys 10-4 in the contest. Ashton Pocol (2-2) was responsible for the loss, allowing two runs on one hit in 2/3 innings. Clay Hendry took the win for UNF after one inning in relief.

Javier Gorostola extended his hitting streak to 40 games with a single in the fourth, but he would be left stranded at third. A single in the sixth, however, would end very differently as Dempsey hit a home run to right to send Gorostola home and give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

Gorostola singled yet again in the seventh, this time driving in Wilfred Gonzalez from third, who reached on a walk and advanced around on a Jon Embury double. Dempsey would drive in Embury in the next at bat, pushing FGCU to a 4-0 lead.

Meanwhile, North Florida was still searching for its first hit of the game. It would come from Hosey singled up the middle to lead off the eighth. Sean Benjamin then hit an infield single, which set up Seth Alford to hit a home run to left, pulling the Ospreys within one at 4-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, a bases-loaded hit by pitch followed by a bases-loaded walk – with a strike out in between – would bring home the tying and winning run for North Florida, respectively.

FGCU looks to even the series on Saturday. First pitch at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville is set for 3 p.m.

FGCU GIVE DAY 2026 LAUNCHES MARCH 25 AT NOON 

FGCU's annual Give Day – a 24-hour fundraising effort designed to support student-athletes, the 15 Division I sport programs and key priorities across FGCU athletics – launches at Noon on March 25. 

Help support Your Hometown Team by making your gift during the 24-hour campaign (or anytime leading up to that 24-hour span) by visiting the FGCU Athletics 2026 Give Day webpage here. 

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