CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Florida Gulf Coast University (22-14, 7-8 ASUN) narrowly fell to Queens University of Charlotte (11-26, 7-9 ASUN) with a final score of 6-5 on Friday at The Stick. FGCU scored two runs in the ninth inning to close the gap, but the Royals secured the victory with a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth.
Javier Gorostola contributed with a home run and added two hits, scoring one run and driving in another.
Evan Dempsey recorded a home run among his three hits and tallied an RBI while scoring once.
Preston Rogers pitched 1 1/3 innings without allowing a hit, striking out two and walking one.
Wilfred Gonzalez hit once and drove in a run, also reaching base after being hit by a pitch.
Sebastian Lippman (1-1) took the loss, conceding one run on one hit over 1/3 of an inning, with two walks and no strikeouts.
Hunter Huneycutt made a strong impact for the Royals, recording two RBIs while managing a hit and a stolen base. Justin Hudson contributed significantly as a pinch hitter, adding two RBIs with a double. Lenox Lively led the team in hits, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and earning an intentional walk. Jackson Gowan pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two, while Jack Clevidence (1-1) was credited with the win after facing just three batters.
Gorostola put Florida Gulf Coast on the board early with a solo home run to center field in the first inning. Queens responded in the second inning, scoring three runs. After two singles and a hit by pitch loaded the bases, Huneycutt singled through the right side, bringing in two runs. Schaefer then scored on a throwing error. Florida Gulf Coast trailed 3-1 after two innings.
In the fourth inning, the Royals added another run. Grimes doubled down the right field line and was driven in by Lively's single to right field.
The Eagles narrowed the gap in the seventh inning.
Jaret Nelson advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Gonzalez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The score was 4-2 after seven innings.
Dempsey hit a solo home run to right field in the eighth inning to cut the deficit further. The Eagles trailed 4-3 going into the ninth inning. In the ninth, Drew Seidel scored from third on
Nathan Gagnon's double to right center. Gagnon then scored on
Jon Embury's sacrifice fly, tying the game at 4-4. However, Queens regained the lead with a two-run double by Hudson. The Green & Blue fell 6-5 in the final score.
The Eagles will face the Royals again on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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:
- Team - Achieved at least 10 hits for the second consecutive game.
-
Evan Dempsey - Recorded at least 3 hits in 2 consecutive games.
-
Jaret Nelson - Scored 1 run, going above their season average of 0.71.
-
Javier Gorostola - Recorded 2 or more hits in 3 consecutive games.
-
Nathan Gagnon - Achieved 1 run scored, higher than their season average of 0.29.
-
Nathan Gagnon - Drove in 1 run, which is above their season average of 0.14.
-
Tyler Herb - Recorded a season-high total of 3 putouts.
