BOCA RATON, Fla. – FGCU used home runs by
Evan Dempsey and
Jon Embury to overpower host Florida Atlantic in an 8-6 win over the Owls Tuesday evening.
Dempsey's home run – his fifth of the year – came with two outs in the sixth and pushed the Eagles (22-13) to a 6-4 lead. After FAU tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, FGCU rebounded in the eighth inning as Embury' s homer – his 13
th of the year – was a two-run shot that put the Eagles up for good.
The win for FGCU marked the second over Florida Atlantic this season in two tries, both of which have occurred in Boca Raton. The Owls will make the trek across Alligator Alley to face the Eagles in Fort Myers on Apr. 28 and again on May 12 to cap off the four-game series.
Setting the stage for FGCU's big hit drama was a five-run surge in the second inning, which came after Florida Atlantic (17-19) scored four runs in the first.
Dempsey's home run contributed to him driving in three runs, and having three hits in the game. Embury contributed with his home run, four RBIs, and three hits, alongside scoring two runs.
Preston Rogers (4-3) was credited with the win after taking the mound for one inning in relief, striking out one and allowing just one hit.
Ashton Pocol pitched one inning, allowing no runs and striking out two batters. Simon Aluko (1) secured his first save in an Eagles uniform with 2/3 inning on the mound, striking out one without allowing a hit. Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue contributed 2 scoreless innings, yielding no hits and striking out 1 batter.
Ian Collier led the FAU offense with two runs and two RBIs, contributing significantly with one hit and a walk in the game. John Martinez made an impact by driving in two runs, including a home run, while also scoring a run himself. Eli Small added to the scoring with two RBIs and a hit, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively.
The Owls jumped to an early 4–0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by Collier's two-RBI single and Martinez's two-run homer. The Eagles responded in the second inning with a five-run rally. Embury's two-RBI single, followed by a key two-RBI hit from Dempsey, tied the game, and
Jaret Nelson's RBI single gave Florida Gulf Coast a 5–4 lead at the end of the inning.
The game remained tight through the middle innings, with the Eagles maintaining a one-run lead until the sixth. Dempsey extended the Eagles' advantage with a solo homer to deep right field, making it 6–4. However, the Owls tied the game in the bottom half of the sixth as Small's two-RBI single leveled the score at 6–6.
In the eighth inning, Florida Gulf Coast regained the lead with Embury's two-run homer to deep right field, pushing the Eagles ahead 8–6. The bullpen held FAU scoreless over the final two innings, securing the win.
FGCU returns to ASUN play this weekend as they begin a three-game series at Queens, starting with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch on Friday, Apr. 17. The games on Friday and Sunday can be seen on ESPN+.
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:
- With the win, Florida Gulf Coast pulls even with FAU in the all-time series, 20-20. The Eagles are now 9-12 when playing in Boca Raton and have won two straight.
- Aluko recorded his first save in a Green & Blue uniform and his third career save overall.
- Dempsey notched 3 hits, above his season average of 1.41.
- Dempsey registered 3 runs batted in, higher than his season average of 0.74.
- Javier Gorostola recorded a season-high total of 3 putouts.
- Gorostola registered at least 2 hits in consecutive games for a streak of 2.
- Embury scored 2 runs, higher than his season average of 1.15.
- Embury achieved 3 hits, more than his season average of 1.62.
- Embury batted in 4 runs, ahead of his season average of 1.32.
- Juan Santos recorded a season-high of 2 hits.
- Biemiller started in a game for the first time this season.
- Biemiller pitched 3 innings, exceeding his season average of 0.29.
- Aluko recorded a season-high total of 1 strikeout looking.
- Wilfred Gonzalez recorded 4 fielding assists, above his season average of 1.44.
- Gonzalez drew 2 walks, surpassing his season average of 0.56.
