FORT MYERS, Fla. — FGCU wrapped up its home schedule Tuesday night in a final non-conference game against in-state rival FAU. Despite cobbling together 10 hits, the Eagles were unable to overcome a big seventh inning in a 9-3 decision to the Owls.
Florida Gulf Coast (33-18) ended up stranding 13 runners on base while the pitching staff delivered 13 strikeouts in the game. FAU (28-24) matched the offensive effort with 10 hits, but only stranded six on base.
Jaret Nelson recorded two hits and drew a walk in his performance.
Jeremy Comer contributed with a hit, a scored run, and an RBI, showcasing effective plate discipline with a walk.
Logan Baisley struck out two batters over one inning without allowing a hit. Sebastian Lippman added three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings pitched, conceding just one hit and no runs while hitting 98 miles per hour on his second strikeout.
Ryan Rushing (2-1) was effective in the start, recording three strikeouts over his three innings pitched, but allowed two runs on three hits in his final inning on the mound, thus being responsible for the loss.
Logan Eisenbarth and Baisley each contributed effectively out of the bullpen, both pitching scoreless innings with Eisenbarth striking out two batters and Baisley fanning two as well.
Brando Leroux led the Owls with an impressive performance, amassing three runs, three hits, and two RBIs. Kyle Boylston contributed significantly by scoring two runs, showcasing his ability to impact the game from center field. Nick Romano made his presence felt with two RBIs, adding to the team's offensive efforts. Dalton Robinson (2-3) was credited with the win after allowing only two hits over 1 2/3 innings.
Florida Atlantic took an early lead in the third inning. Leroux singled and advanced to third on a throwing error. He scored on a fielder's choice by Boylston, who later crossed the plate on a Michael Perazza single, giving the visitors a 2–0 advantage.
The Green & Blue responded in the fifth inning.
Wilfred Gonzalez hit an RBI single, allowing
Evan Dempsey to score from second, reducing the lead to 2–1 in favor of FAU.
In the seventh inning, the Owls extended their lead. Brett Patten scored from second on a single by Leroux, and Romano's two-RBI single increased the visitors' lead to 6–1. A wild pitch allowed another run, making it 7–1.
Florida Gulf Coast added a run in the eighth inning when
Keaton Kangas was hit by a pitch with bases loaded, scoring Comer. The score stood at 9–2.
In the ninth inning, Gonzalez scored on a sacrifice fly by Comer to finalize the scoring. The Owls secured a 9–3 victory.
FGCU now heads to Jacksonville to wrap up the regular season with a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series beginning on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m.
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Game Notes
- The Eagles are still 11-10 against FAU at Swanson Stadium but the Owls now lead the overall series, 22-20.
- Team - Reached the milestone of 550 hits with a total of 558, contributing 10 hits in the game.
- Team - Surpassed the milestone of 400 fielding assists, totaling 403 with 7 assists in the game.
- Cayden Hessemyer - Reached 101 total putouts, marking a milestone of 100 putouts.
- Evan Dempsey - Reached 55 runs scored for the season, contributing 1 in the current game.
- Dempsey - Achieved 75 hits for the season, including 1 in the current game.
- Dempsey - Recorded 70 putouts this season, with 2 coming in the current game.
- Dempsey - Surpassed 125 career runs scored, adding 1 in the current game.
- Nelson - Reached the milestone of 320 putouts, finishing with 321 total, including 6 in the current game.
- Juan Santos - Reached a total of 115 putouts this season, surpassing the 110 milestone with 13 in the current game.
- Rushing - Achieved first game started of the season.
- Gonzalez - Achieved the milestone of 25 runs batted in this season.
