FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts but could not stop a late rally by Jacksonville in a 6-4 final at Swanson Stadium in front of 754 fans on Friday evening.
The Eagles (20-12, 6-6 ASUN) scored three runs early and scratched one across in the ninth, but could not stop JU (16-17, 5-8) from scoring all six runs across the final three innings. It marked the first home conference loss of the season for FGCU, which is now 15-4 at home overall this year.
Evan Dempsey led the Eagles both on the mound and at the plate. Making his ninth start of the season, Dempsey struck out nine Dolphins over six complete innings, allowing just two hits and two walks. At the plate, he was an effective 3-for-4 with two runs scored while also drawing a walk.
Cayden Hessemyer was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs while
Jon Embury was 3-for-5.
Jaret Nelson recorded an RBI and reached base twice in a 1-for-3 night at the plate while drawing a walk.
Hyatt Richardson (4-2) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking two.
Kyle Hopper (3-0) was credited with the win for Jacksonville after holding the Eagles to no runs on two hits with two strikeouts over two innings. Dominic Pieto (4) was awarded the save after pitching the ninth inning, allowing one run on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts.
Abdriel Delgado made a notable contribution for the Dolphins, scoring twice and securing two hits in the game. Blake Edmonds also added two runs, complementing his performance with one hit and one RBI. Derek Bermudez led the team with three hits and three RBIs, providing a significant offensive push.
Florida Gulf Coast opened the game with a strong first inning, scoring three runs.
Wilfred Gonzalez led off with a single through the left side. Embury followed with a single to left center, advancing Gonzalez to second. Dempsey added another single to load the bases, leading to a hit-by-pitch RBI for Nelson, scoring Gonzalez. A wild pitch allowed Embury to score, while a sacrifice fly by Hessemyer brought home Dempsey for a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
In the seventh inning, the Dolphins closed the gap. Roger Vergara singled down the left field line, driving in a run. Bermudez followed with a single to right field, scoring another run. The Eagles' lead was trimmed to 3–2 by the end of the seventh inning.
JU took control in the eighth inning. A throwing error set the stage for a sacrifice fly by Sammy Mummau, which tied the game. Bermudez then delivered a two-RBI single to left center, putting the Dolphins ahead 5–3 after the eighth inning.
In the ninth inning, JU added an insurance run with an RBI single by Edmonds. The Eagles attempted a rally as Dempsey walked and later scored on a single by Hessemyer. However, the comeback fell short, and the Dolphins secured a 6–4 victory.
Game two of the three-game series is set for a 5 p.m. first pitch on Saturday at Swanson Stadium.
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Game Notes:
- Dempsey swiped his 31st career stolen base, a number that ranks seventh in program history.
- With his stolen base, Dempsey now has a career stolen base percentage of .939, which is currently a program record.
- Florida Gulf Coast still leads the all-time record over JU, 41-28. The Green & Blue has a 25-13 advantage at home and a 35-26 advantage in ASUN play.
- Dempsey has now recorded eight or more strikeouts in four of his past five games.
- Drew Seidel recorded a season-high 2 hits.
