FORT MYERS, Fla. – Chris Diaz pitched a respectable six innings, striking out eight, but FGCU only managed four hits in a 4-1 loss to Jacksonville on Saturday evening in front of 583 fans at Swanson Stadium.
The lone run for FGCU (20-13, 6-7 ASUN) came off a two-out balk attributed to Ayden Phillips with Drew Seidel standing on third. However, a routine grounder to short ended any chance of the Eagles doing more damage that frame.
Jacksonville (17-17, 6-8) was effective on the mound with starter Brendan Holland (2-4) striking out seven and allowing just four hits and one walk in seven innings. Phillips (2) earned his second save of the season as he walked two but did not yield a hit in two innings pitched.
Seidel was the most effective Eagle at the plate and in the field. He went 2-for-2 with a walk and scored FGCU's lone run while recording a season-high seven putouts, including one spectacular diving catch.
Aside from Seidel, only
Jon Embury and
Cayden Hessemyer managed hits for the Eagles. FGCU did not put a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning, when Seidel reached third and Embury reached second with one out. But Holland forced a flyout and a groundout to end the threat.
Sammy Mummau stood out for Jacksonville with two hits and one run batted in, contributing significantly to the Dolphins' offensive efforts. Derek Bermudez added to the team's scoring with two runs batted in, while also collecting a hit. Roger Vergara was patient at the plate, drawing a walk and scoring a run.
The Eagles faced the Dolphins, where early defensive plays set the tone. Florida Gulf Coast kept Jacksonville scoreless in the first inning, but Jacksonville's Sam Grunberg tripled in the second and scored on Logan Baratta's sacrifice fly, giving JU a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
Sammy Mummau stood out with two hits and one run batted in, contributing significantly to the Dolphins' offensive efforts. Brendan Holland delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, showcasing his control with 71 strikes out of 96 pitches. Derek Bermudez added to the team's scoring with two runs batted in, while also collecting a hit. Roger Vergara was patient at the plate, drawing a walk and scoring a run.
Early defensive plays set the tone. Florida Gulf Coast kept Jacksonville scoreless in the first inning, but Jacksonville's Sam Grunberg tripled in the second and scored on Logan Baratta's sacrifice fly, giving JU a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
In the fifth inning, Jacksonville extended its lead when Griffin Pomper reached on a fielding error and later scored an unearned run on Sammy Mummau's single, bringing the score to 2-0.
Jacksonville added two more runs in the eighth inning. Mummau and Vergara advanced on a wild pitch, and both scored on Derek Bermudez's single through the left side, increasing Jacksonville's lead to 4-0.
The Green & Blue responded in the bottom half of the eighth when Drew Seidel scored on a balk after walking and advancing to third on a double play.
The ninth inning saw no additional scoring from either team, resulting in a 4–1 victory for JU over the Eagles.
FGCU looks to salvage a game this weekend on Sunday, when the Eagles host JU in the series finale. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and kids 12-and-under can run the bases after the game.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on FGCU Baseball, follow the Eagles on
Instagram,
X (Twitter) and
Facebook, and visit
FGCUathletics.com.
Game Notes:
- Chris Diaz's 8 strikeouts were the most he's recorded since striking out 9 against Stonehill on Feb. 21.
- FGCU still leads the all-time record over Jacksonville, 41-29. The Eagles have a 25-14 advantage at home and a 35-27 advantage in ASUN play.
- Team - Achieved at least 10 pitching strikeouts swinging in 2 consecutive games.
- Brandyn Gonzalez - Recorded a season-high of 2 putouts.
- Drew Seidel - Recorded a season-high total of 7 putouts.
- Drew Seidel - Achieved at least 2 hits in consecutive games for a streak of 2.
- Sebastian Lippman - Achieved 2 strikeouts, above their season average of 1.0.
