FORT MYERS, Fla. – Javier Gorostola came out of his mini-hitting slump in a big way, smashing two home runs and driving in all four of FGCU's runs in a 4-1 win over Jacksonville in front of 556 at Swanson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gorostola, who had a 45-game hitting streak come to an end less than two weeks ago, had gone 0-for-10 leading up to his at-bat in the third inning Sunday. Facing a 1-0 pitch, he ripped a three-run home run 374 feet to left center.
The extra RBIs on that homer were set up as
Wilfred Gonzalez singled, and
Jon Embury reached on a throwing error, setting the stage for Gorostola.
Coming back to the plate in the sixth, he sent a solo shot 350 feet to left, giving him a fourth RBI for the game and his 11
th home run of the season. The redshirt sophomore led the Eagles with his 2-for-4 day at the plate.
Earlier in that sixth inning, JU scored on a single by Derek Bermudez, which was unearned due to a fielding error. Bermudez drove in JU's only RBI, adding a hit to his contributions for the game.
Hunter Possehl (2-1) secured the win on the mound, pitching 6 innings and allowing just one unearned run while striking out three.
Mattox Meeks provided solid relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings without allowing a run and giving up only one hit.
Preston Rogers (1) closed the game efficiently, earning a save with 2/3 of an inning pitched and one strikeout.
Sam Grunberg led the Dolphins with a standout performance at the plate, collecting two hits, including a double. Sammy Mummau also contributed offensively by reaching base twice with a hit and a walk, scoring the team's only run.
On the mound, Kyle Powers (0-1) was charged with the loss, allowing four hits but none of the three runs he gave up were earned. Scout Updike provided a strong relief appearance, striking out two in his single inning of work without allowing a hit.
FGCU now travels across Alligator Alley to face Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton on Tuesday, Apr. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
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Game Notes:
- FGCU now leads the all-time record over Jacksonville, 42-29. The Eagles have a 26-14 advantage at home and a 36-27 advantage in ASUN play.
- This marked the second time this season that Gorostola has hit two home runs in a single game.
- Team - Recorded 11 fielding assists in the game, surpassing their season average of 7.12.
- Possehl - Pitched a career-high 6 innings.
- Possehl - Set a season-high with 9 groundouts recorded.
- Jaret Nelson - Achieved 2 fielding assists, surpassing his season average of 0.55.
- Gorostola - Drove in 4 runs, outpacing his season average of 1.21.
- Tyler Herb - Achieved 4 fielding assists, exceeding his career average of 1.34.
