DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast amassed 19 hits, including two home runs and a triple, while scoring in five different innings as part of a decisive 13-5 victory at Bethune-Cookman Saturday evening.
B-CU (9-6) managed to score three runs in the fifth inning, but the Eagles' consistent offensive pressure and solid pitching held the home team to just six hits.
Jon Embury led FGCU (12-3) by recording four hits and finishing a triple shy of the cycle, while driving in four runs and scoring four times.
Jaret Nelson contributed significantly with three hits, one RBI, and two runs, along with a stolen base.
Javier Gorostola made an impact with a home run and four RBIs, tallying two hits and two runs.
Chris Diaz (2-0) led the pitching effort for the Green & Blue, throwing six innings and allowing three runs on three hits. He struck out three batters and walked four in his second win of the season. Edwin Sanchez (3-1) was charged with his first loss of the year after allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out three in 1 2/3 innings on the mound.
Jeter Polledo emerged as a key offensive contributor for the Wildcats, recording two hits, one double, and one triple, while driving in two runs. Michael Rodriguez also made an impact with a hit and a run scored, while being hit by a pitch.
FGCU opened the game with a strong first inning. Embury doubled, and Gorostola followed with an RBI single, bringing Embury home. Florida Gulf Coast led 1-0 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Nelson's single set the stage as he stole second and moved to third on Drew Seidel's double. Embury's single scored Nelson, and Gorostola hit a three-run homer to extend the Eagles' lead to 5-0 through two innings.
Bethune-Cookman remained scoreless in the third and fourth innings, while FGCU maintained its five-run lead.
The fifth inning saw Florida Gulf Coast add two more runs.
Jeremy Comer tripled and scored on a double by
Cayden Hessemyer. Nelson then singled to bring home Hessemyer, making it 7-0. The Wildcats responded with three runs, narrowing the gap to 7-3.
The Eagles' offense continued in the sixth inning as they scored three runs.
Evan Dempsey's sacrifice fly, Gonzalez's RBI single, and Comer's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 10-3.
In the seventh inning, Embury hit a three-run homer, increasing FGCU's advantage to 13-3. B-CU scored once, making it 13-4 through seven innings.
The Wildcats added another run in the eighth, but Florida Gulf Coast held firm, leading 13-5.
FGCU looks for the series sweep when the two teams meet at 1 p.m. Sunday.
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Game Notes:
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Wilfred Gonzalez - Recorded a season-high total of 4 fielding assists.
- Merrick Rapoza - Achieved a season-high total of 1 fielding assist.
- Embury - Achieved a season-high total of 4 hits.
- Embury - Recorded at least 4 runs batted in for the second consecutive game.
- Comer - Recorded 2 or more hits in 2 consecutive games.
- Gorostola - Recorded a season-high 4 runs batted in.
- Gorostola - Achieved at least 2 runs in consecutive games, extending the streak to 2.
- Gorostola - Notched at least 2 hits in 3 straight games.
- Nelson - Recorded at least 2 runs in 2 consecutive games.
- Nelson - Achieved at least 3 hits in 2 consecutive games.
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