JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Javier Gorostola hit a home run in a 2-for-4 performance and Keaton Kangas also went 2-for-4 from the plate, but FGCU (17-7, 3-3 ASUN) would be unable to stop a late rally at North Florida (13-12, 5-1) in a 6-4 loss Sunday afternoon.

Gorostola's home run that led off the third inning extended his current hitting streak to 42 games and was one of two of his RBIs in the game. That also pushed his season-long hitting streak to 24 games, matching the 24-game hitting streak by Josh Chester in 2009 for the second-longest in a single season in program history.

Kangas delivered an RBI single in the second to score Wilfred Gonzalez, who reached on a leadoff double to extend his reached base streak to 24 games.

Ashton Pocol (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings. Hunter Possehl threw a career-long 5 2/3 innings in the start, yielding three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three.

Devon Diggs (2-0) received the win after holding the Eagles scoreless and only giving up one hit over three innings, walking one and striking out three. Matthew Farner went 1-for-4 at the plate, but his lone hit was a walk-off home run for the Ospreys after trailing 4-1 earlier in the game. Seth Alford was 2-for-4 for UNF while Drew Buchanan was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

The Eagles opened the scoring in the second inning with Wilfred Gonzalez doubling to left center. Jaret Nelson walked, and Keaton Kangas followed with an RBI single to center field, scoring Gonzalez. A sacrifice fly by Jon Embury brought Nelson home, putting Florida Gulf Coast ahead 2–0 through two innings.

In the third inning, Gorostola extended the Eagles' lead with a solo home run to right field, bringing the score to 3–0. North Florida responded in the bottom of the third with an RBI single by Jackson Toberman, making it 3–1 in favor of Florida Gulf Coast after three innings.

Gorostola contributed again in the fourth inning with a ground-rule double, driving in Keaton Kangas and extending the Eagles' lead to 4–1. North Florida was unable to score in their half, maintaining Florida Gulf Coast's lead through four innings.

North Florida closed the gap in the sixth inning. Drew Buchanan delivered a two-RBI single up the middle, cutting the Eagles' lead to 4–3. The Ospreys then tied the game in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly from Boone Hosey, leveling the score at 4–4.

In the bottom of the ninth, Farner hit a walk-off two-run homer to deep left field, securing a 6–4 victory for North Florida over the Eagles.

FGCU now returns home to begin a four-game homestand. The Eagles will face USF at Swanson Stadium on Tuesday, Mar. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Fans attending the game will receive a red rally towel as part of the Wings Up, Horns Down promotional giveaway, while supplies last.
 
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Game Notes

• Team - Totaled 10 fielding assists in the game, exceeding their season average of 7.17 for the 2025-26 season.
• Javier Gorostola extended his program-best hitting streak to 42 games.
• Wilfred Gonzalez has extended his reached base streak to 24 games.
• Javier Gorostola has recorded a base hit in 24 consecutive games this season, a mark that ties Josh Chester (2009) for the second-longest hitting streak in a season in program history. Matt Reardon holds the record of 29 consecutive games safely hit in 2016.
• Florida Gulf Coast still leads the all-time series against North Florida, 39-32. This marks just the third time the Eagles have been swept by the Ospreys and just the second time in Jacksonville. FGCU holds a 20-16 lead over UNF when playing in Jacksonville.
• Hunter Possehl - Posted a season-high total of 94 pitches.
• Hunter Possehl - Achieved a career-high total of 94 pitches.
• Nathan Gagnon - Recorded a season-high of 2 walks.
• Keaton Kangas - Totaled 2 hits, marking a career high.
• Keaton Kangas - Logged 1 run batted in, tying the season high.

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