DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – FGCU smashed four home runs as part of a 16-hit performance Friday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, powering its way to an 11-5 win over Bethune-Cookman.
Jon Embury was responsible for two of those home runs as he tallied four RBIs and two runs scored. It marked his third game of the season with multiple home runs, and he was one of six Eagles to register multiple hits.
Jaret Nelson and
Javier Gorostola, who each tallied three hits to lead all players, also hit home runs.
Wilfred Gonzalez smacked an RBI double as part of the offensive showcase.
Evan Dempsey (2-0) claimed the win after allowing four runs on six hits in a five-inning performance where he issued only three walks while striking out eight.
Reed Biemiller closed the game effectively, pitching four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out three, showcasing control over 65 pitches with 42 strikes. Habersting Abreu (0-1) was charged with the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Darryl Lee stood out for B-CU, scoring two runs in the game and showcasing his ability to reach base with a double. Meanwhile, Jeter Polledo made a significant impact with two triples and two RBIs, driving in a run with two outs.
The Green & Blue took control in the third inning with Embury hitting a two-run homer to left center, his sixth of the season, scoring Dempsey. Gorostola singled and advanced to third on a fielding error, and later scored on a fielding error to give Florida Gulf Coast a 3-1 lead. The Wildcats responded with three runs in their half of the third, with Polledo's RBI triple and Lucena's RBI single contributing to a 4-3 lead for B-CU after three innings.
In the fourth inning, Nelson homered to left, followed by another two-run homer from Embury, his second of the game, bringing Dempsey home again. This offensive burst put the Eagles ahead 6-4. Florida Gulf Coast added another run in the fifth when Nelson singled to left, driving in
Wilfred Gonzalez to extend the lead to 7-4.
In the sixth inning, Gorostola hit his third home run of the season, a solo shot to left, increasing the Eagles' advantage to 8-4. B-CU cut into the lead with a run in the bottom of the inning, making it 8-5.
Florida Gulf Coast capitalized further in the eighth inning as Gonzalez doubled to left center, scoring
Jeremy Comer, and later,
Tyler Herb, pinch-hitting, singled to bring home Gonzalez, pushing the lead to 10-5.
The ninth inning saw Florida Gulf Coast add another run with Dempsey's sacrifice fly to right, scoring Nelson, securing an 11-5 victory for the Eagles over the Wildcats.
FGCU and Bethune-Cookman meet again Saturday at 6 p.m. for the second game of the three-game series as the Eagles hope to secure their fourth weekend series win of the young season.
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Game Notes:
- The Eagles now lead the all-time series against the Wildcats, 28-15. Florida Gulf Coast is now 14-6 against B-CU in Daytona Beach.
- The Green & Blue has now won three consecutive games over B-CU.
- Wilfred Gonzalez - Recorded 2 or more hits in 3 consecutive games.
- Reed Biemiller - Pitched a season-high total of 4 innings.
- Biemiller - Recorded a season-high 3 strikeouts swinging.
- Jon Embury – Recorded 2 home runs for the third time this season.
- Nelson - Achieved a season high with 2 bases on balls.
- Brandyn Gonzalez - Recorded a season-high total of 1 walk.
