CHARLOTTE, N.C. – FGCU scored five runs in the first three innings at Queens on Sunday afternoon, taking an early lead, but could not hold off the Royals' late-game surge in a 6-5 loss at The Stick in Charlotte.
Queens (12-27, 8-10 Atlantic Sun) rallied with two runs in the sixth and a decisive three-run ninth inning as Florida Gulf Coast (23-15, 8-9) was unable to secure the win. Both teams matched with seven hits each, and the Green & Blue's pitching staff recorded seven strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings.
Javier Gorostola recorded two hits and drove in two runs, including a double.
Cayden Hessemyer also contributed two RBIs, despite not recording a hit. Drew Seidel was active on the bases, successfully stealing two bases.
Jon Embury collected two hits and scored a run, showcasing his contribution to the team's offense.
For Queens, Lenox Lively had a standout performance, recording two hits, both doubles, and driving in one run while also scoring once and drawing a walk. Anibal Rivera contributed with two hits and one RBI, enhancing his offensive effort with a walk and a hit-by-pitch drawn. Dylan Schaefer was notable for scoring three runs, supported by one hit and a pair of walks. On the mound, Jake Young delivered an impressive four innings of no-hit relief, striking out four batters and allowing just one walk.
Davin Pollard (1-0) recorded his first win of the season after yielding no runs or hits and just one walk in one inning.
Ashton Pocol (3-4) was charged with the loss.
Florida Gulf Coast opened strong with a two-run first inning.
Evan Dempsey walked and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Embury singled, and a walk to
Jaret Nelson brought in Dempsey. Hessemyer added a sacrifice fly, scoring Embury to make it 2-0 after the first inning.
In the second inning,
Jeremy Comer singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single by Gorostola.
Nathan Gagnon, who walked, also scored on Gorostola's single, extending the Eagles' lead to 4-0 through two innings.
The third inning saw the Green & Blue add another run. Nelson singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He scored on an error, bringing the score to 5-0. The Eagles maintained this lead through the fifth inning.
Queens responded in the sixth with two runs. A double and a single, coupled with an error, allowed two runners to score, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
The Royals added another run in the eighth. After a double and two walks, a sacrifice fly brought home a run, cutting the Eagles' lead to 5-3.
In the ninth inning, QUC completed its comeback. After loading the bases, a double cleared them, driving in three runs and securing a 6-5 victory over the Green & Blue.
The Eagles will host FIU on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida.
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Game Notes:
- FGCU still leads the all-time series over Queens, 12-6. The Eagles are 7-5 when playing the Royals in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Team - Recorded 10 fielding assists in the game, surpassing their season average of 7.24.
- Team - Totaled 2 stolen bases in the game, exceeding their season average of 0.62.
- Cayden Hessemyer - Recorded at least 2 runs batted in for the second consecutive game.
- Hunter Possehl - Recorded 5 groundouts, surpassing their season average of 1.05.
- Jeremy Comer - Recorded 2 hits, surpassing their season average of 1.08.
- Jeremy Comer - Scored 1 run, exceeding their season average of 0.54.
- Jon Embury - Recorded at least 2 hits in 2 consecutive games.
- Wilfred Gonzalez - Recorded a season-high 5 fielding assists.
