DELAND, Fla. — After a six-plus hour rain delay, FGCU needed a pitcher to step up in a big way to help keep a 4-0 lead and save most of its bullpen for the series finale on Sunday.
Preston Rogers was that man.
Rogers (6-3) recorded a career-high six strikeouts across a career-long five innings while getting credited with the win as the Eagles (28-17, 12-10 Atlantic Sun) clinched the series over Stetson (18-28, 9-13) with a 6-2 victory Saturday night. He entered after the over six-hour weather delay since starter
Chris Diaz was burned due to the delay.
The Eagles capitalized on the Hatters' two errors and maintained a strong pitching performance led by Rogers, striking out 11 batters while allowing just two earned runs.
Evan Dempsey and
Jon Embury both went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Dempsey scored two runs while Embury scored one, but both scored on two of the four sacrifice flies the Eagles recorded in the game, tying a school record.
Dempsey also recorded a stolen base - his 35th career swipe. That moves him into sixth place all-time at FGCU.
Chris Diaz fanned two and walked one in his two innings pitched before the break. Sebastian Lippman finished the game, throwing the final two innings and striking out three while walking two. He did not allow a run and yielded only two hits.
Stetson employed three pitchers in the game. Starter Trace Hartman (3-5) received the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in the first three innings. Joel Core came on in relief after the delay, allowing two runs on one hit in two innings. The Hatters' saving grace was TJ Melani, who held the Eagles scoreless over the final four innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six.
Dempsey led off the game with a single up the middle and later scored on
Javier Gorostola's sacrifice fly, giving the Eagles an early lead. Stetson was unable to respond in the bottom half, leaving the Eagles ahead 1-0 after the first inning.
In the third inning, the Eagles extended their lead. Dempsey singled and advanced on an error, eventually scoring on another sacrifice fly by Gorostola.
Cayden Hessemyer contributed with a two-RBI single, bringing in
Jon Embury and
Jaret Nelson. The Hatters managed one run in their half, but the Eagles led 4-1 after three innings.
Florida Gulf Coast added two more runs in the fourth inning. Merrick Raposa walked and scored on Dempsey's sacrifice fly, followed by Drew Seidel scoring on another sacrifice fly by Embury. Stetson failed to score, maintaining the Eagles' lead at 6-1 through four innings.
Stetson narrowed the gap with a run in the sixth inning, but the Eagles held the lead at 6-2 after six innings. The final three innings saw no additional scoring from either team, resulting in the Eagles securing a 6-2 victory over the Hatters.
Jack Harley led SU with a standout performance, delivering two hits, including a double, and driving in a run while scoring once. On the mound, TJ Melani was effective in relief, pitching four scoreless innings with six strikeouts and allowing just three hits. Cade Centracchio also contributed offensively, recording a hit, a double, and scoring a run, while drawing two walks. Renzo Gonzalez added to the team's scoring with an RBI, despite grounding into a double play.
FGCU looks to secure the sweep when the teams meet in the season finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
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Game Notes:
- Preston Rogers recorded a career-high 6 strikeouts and a career-long 5 innings pitched in relief, earning the win.
- With the win, the Eagles are now 38-30 all-time against SU with a 21-16 mark when playing in DeLand.
- The four sacrifice flies recorded by the Eagles tied a school record.
- For the second consecutive game, all nine Green & Blue players that stepped to the plate reached base.
- Team - Totaled 10 fielding assists in the game, exceeding their season average of 7.5.
- Team - Achieved at least 6 runs in 2 consecutive games this season.
- Team - Achieved at least 6 runs batted in during 2 consecutive games this season.
