ORLANDO – FGCU's first road trip of the year got off to a cold start on a warm night in Orlando, dropping a 12-5 decision at UCF in front of 1,805 fans on Wednesday night at John Euliano Park.
The Eagles (10-3) were within striking distance and had the go-ahead run at the plate in a two-run ballgame in the seventh before UCF (6-5) forced three straight outs to end the threat.
After the stretch, Florida Gulf Coast was inches away from turning away an inning-ending double play after a ball sharply grounded to third was called foul. Soon thereafter, UCF took advantage of the close call and hit a grand slam to break the game open. The Knights would score a total of six runs in the inning to pull away.
Javier Gorostola hit a solo home run as part of his 2-for-5 night at the plate, extending his hitting streak to all 13 games this season. Hours after being named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year 2026 Watch List,
Evan Dempsey went 1-for-4 to extend his current hitting streak to 10 games.
However, UCF's offense combined for 12 runs on 16 hits and never trailed after the first inning. Andrew Williamson led the Black and Gold effort with a 4-for-5 performance, scoring two runs and recording 5 RBIs.
Preston Rogers (1-2) was charged with the loss and was one of seven Eagles pitchers to take the mound. Anthony Lariz (1-0) was credited with the win for UCF in just 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, walking two and striking out one.
The Eagles continue on towards northwest Florida and the Atlantic coast for a three-game series at Bethune-Cookman beginning Friday.
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Game Notes:
- FGCU is now tied with UCF, 2-2, when playing in Orlando. The Knights now lead the all-time series, 3-2.
- Javier Gorostola extended his team-leading hitting streak to 13 games.
- Evan Dempsey extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
- Wilfred Gonzalez - Recorded at least 2 hits in 2 consecutive games.
- Sebastian Lippman - Achieved a season-high total of 4 strikeouts swinging.
- Merrick Rapoza - Recorded their first hit of the season.
- Logan Baisley - Recorded a season-high of 2 strikeouts swinging.
- Keaton Kangas - Achieved 1 hit for the first time this season.
- Jon Embury - Recorded 2 runs batted in, exceeding their career average of 0.74.
- Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue - Pitched a season-high 2 innings.
- Cayden Hessemyer - Recorded at least 2 hits in 3 consecutive games.
