JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast did more than just win a baseball game Thursday night. The Eagles beat Jacksonville, secured a first-round bye in the upcoming Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament and struck out 10-or-more batters for the 32
nd time this season.
The Eagles' three-run fifth inning proved decisive, as their pitching staff recorded 14 strikeouts over nine innings to secure the lead. That three-run inning was propelled primarily by
Evan Dempsey, whose two-run home run marked his 10
th home run of the year as he became the fourth Eagle to hit 10-or-more home runs this season.
His dominant performance extended to the mound where Dempsey (6-2) recorded 10 strikeouts over six innings on the mound while only walking two and allowing just two runs on four hits. That is not surprising for an athlete that was named semifinalist for the
Golden Spikes Award and the
Dick Howser Trophy earlier in the day.
Ashton Pocol (5) received the save, marking his 11
th career save in the Green & Blue. He struck out four and allowed just one hit while pitching three scoreless innings.
Blake Edmonds made a significant impact with two runs scored. Roger Vergara displayed consistency at the plate with one hit and a walk. On the mound, Kyle Hopper (4-1) was dealt his first loss of the season after allowing three runs on three hits in 2/3 innings on the mound, hitting one batter and not recording a strikeout.
The game saw JU take an early lead in the third inning. Edmonds singled to right field and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Vergara walked, and Derek Bermudez drove in Edmonds with a single to center. The Dolphins led 1–0 after three innings.
In the fifth inning, the Eagles' offense ignited. Drew Seidel singled, and Dempsey followed with a two-run home run to deep right field, bringing Seidel home and giving Florida Gulf Coast the lead.
Wilfred Gonzalez later added to the score with an RBI single, bringing
Javier Gorostola across the plate. The Green & Blue led 3–2 after the fifth inning.
Florida Gulf Coast's pitching maintained the lead through the final innings. Pocol took the mound in the seventh and shut down JU, allowing only one hit while striking out four over three innings. The final score was Eagles 3, Dolphins 2.
FGCU looks to continue its momentum and winning streak on Friday when the Eagles face the Dolphins at 7 p.m. in Jacksonville.
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Game Notes:
- Florida Gulf Coast now leads the all-time series over JU, 42–29. The Eagles are 13–15 when playing at John Sessions Stadium.
- Thursday's win marked the ninth consecutive conference win for the Eagles.
- This game marked the Eagles' first game played on a Thursday this season. They are 1–0 on Thursdays this year.
- Dempsey's 10 strikeouts in the game marked the fourth time this year the junior has dealt 10+ strikeouts.
- FGCU pitchers recorded 14 strikeouts in the game, marking the 33rd time this season the Eagles pitchers have recorded 10+ strikeouts.
- With the win, the Eagles clinched second place in the Graphite Division and a first-round bye in the ASUN Tournament.
- Pocol recorded his 11th career save, moving him into a tie for fifth all-time in Eagles history alongside Brady Anderson (2012-16).
- Cole Lasher achieved a milestone of 60 putouts, including 1 in the current game.
- Seidel reached 51 total putouts this season, surpassing the 50 putouts milestone.
- Dempsey reached the milestone of 45 runs batted in for the season, contributing 2 in this game.
- Dempsey hit his 10th home run of the season, making him the fourth Eagles player with 10+ home runs this year.
- Jon Embury reached the milestone of 390 putouts, totaling 398 with 14 in the current game.
- Embury surpassed the 450 putouts milestone, with a career total of 463 including 14 in the current game.
- Gonzalez achieved a total of 65 hits for the season, including 1 in the current game.
