FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU could not capitalize on multiple North Florida errors committed in Friday's series opener at Swanson Stadium as the Eagles dropped the 5-2 decision in front of a crowd of 847.
North Florida (24-17, 15-4 ASUN) committed three errors in the game, but the Eagles (24-16, 8-10) could only push one unearned run across in the game. FGCU continually threatened throughout the game. However, three of FGCU's five runners left on base were stranded in scoring position.
Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Florida Gulf Coast put together back-to-back hits to lead off the inning before
Javier Gorostola's sacrifice fly drove in a run.
Wilfred Gonzalez – who led the Eagles in a 2-for-4 night at the plate – drove in another run in the next at bat as he laced a single to center. However, North Florida quelled the threat as the Ospreys forced a pair of pop ups to end the inning.
Hits were at a premium in the game as each team only recorded five and each team stranded five on base. In Friday's pitcher's duel, FGCU's pitching staff racked up 16 strikeouts while UNF added another eight totaling 24 strikeouts among the 61 at bats in the game.
The pitchers' duel broke up in the fifth as recorded a pair of doubles sandwiched around a two-run home run. An RBI single four batters later tallied the three runs for the Ospreys.
As a result,
Evan Dempsey (3-2) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out eight.
Ashton Pocol (4), Simon Aluko (1) and
Logan Eisenbarth (3) combined for the other eight Ks by the Eagles.
Dakota Stone (5-2) was credited with the win after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in his seven full innings on the mound. He would give up back-to-back hits to leadoff the eighth before being replaced by John Costa, who only allowed one hit over the final two innings of play.
Offensively, Drew Seidel scored two of FGCU's three runs and hit a double.
Wilfred Gonzalez added two hits and an RBI, complementing his solid defensive play at shortstop.
Carter White was instrumental for UNF, delivering a home run and driving in three runs. Sean Benjamin contributed with a double, securing an RBI and adding a run to his tally. Mitchell Collins showcased consistency with two hits and an RBI, complementing his solid play at second base.
In the fifth inning, the Ospreys broke open a scoreless game with a two-run homer by White, which brought in Gialdri Gomez from second base. Benjamin's double followed by Collins' RBI single extended their advantage to 3–0.
The Eagles responded in the sixth inning when Seidel was hit by a pitch and later scored on a throwing error after a flyout by
Jaret Nelson. This cut the deficit to two runs, with the Eagles trailing 3-1.
In the eighth inning, UNF added two runs with a bases-loaded walk to White and a sacrifice fly by Benjamin, increasing its lead. Florida Gulf Coast countered in the bottom half as Seidel doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by
Javier Gorostola. Gonzalez's RBI single scored Dempsey, bringing the Eagles within two runs at 5-3.
The two teams return to Swanson Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m. for the second game of the weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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:
- Florida Gulf Coast still leads the all-time series over UNF, 39–33. The Eagles have a 17–15 advantage at home.
- Dempsey recorded his 32nd career stolen base, currently ranking seventh in program history in career stolen bases.
- Dempsey extended his career stolen base percentage to .941, which is currently the highest in program history. The next-best mark is .895 set by Jalen Townsend (2019–23).
- The Eagles totaled 16 strikeouts swinging in the game, above their season average of 10.15.
- Seidel scored a season-high 2 runs.
- Juan Santos recorded a season-high total of 16 putouts.
- Gonzalez recorded 2 hits, exceeding a season average of 1.31.
- The crowd of 847 was the largest to ever watch the Eagles play the Ospreys, surpassing the previous record of 562 when the two teams met on May 21, 2014.
- Friday night's crowd of 847 is the second-largest crowd at Swanson Stadium this season.
