FORT MYERS, Fla. – Evan Dempsey became just the second FGCU pitcher to surpass 100 strikeouts in a season and
Jon Embury hit two home runs in FGCU's 7-6 win over West Georgia (13-36, 10-15 Atlantic Sun) Friday night. The Eagles got up big and held on late in the series-opening win.
Now with 105 strikeouts this season,
Evan Dempsey became just the second pitcher in FGCU history to reach 100 strikeouts in a season. Only Chris Sale, twice, has achieved that feat. Dempsey's 105 strikeouts rank second in school history, currently one above Sale's 104 strikeouts in 2009 and behind only Sale's incredible 146 strikeouts in 2010.
"I thought he was really, really good tonight," FGCU head coach
Dave Tollett said. "He had command of all three (pitches) and nine punch outs in five innings is pretty special."
More than just delivering strikeouts, Dempsey (5-2) also delivered the win after allowing just two runs on five hits with three walks to go along with his nine strikeouts.
Elliot Cadieux Lanoue (2) earned his second save of the season after not allowing a hit or a walk in the two batters he faced at the end of the game.
At the plate,
Jon Embury continued to rake as the sophomore catcher went 3-for-5 on the night with four RBIs and two runs scored. His performance was highlighted by a 371-foot home run to left in the first inning, which was surpassed by his 415-foot home run to left in the fourth inning.
"Two home runs, that's a special night," Tollett noted. "You don't get to coach many of those, and Johnny has seen the ball really well."
Jacob Bowman led the Wolves with two runs scored. Fano Cruz matched Bowman's performance by also scoring two runs. David Bell was a standout batter, collecting three hits and driving in two RBIs.
Florida Gulf Coast started strong in the first inning with Embury hitting a solo home run to left field, his 15th of the season, providing an early lead. The score was 1–0 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Florida Gulf Coast extended its lead.
Cayden Hessemyer doubled to right center, and after
Jeremy Comer was hit by a pitch, a sacrifice fly by Merrick Rapoza brought Hessemyer home. Dempsey followed with an RBI single down the left field line, scoring Comer. Embury added another RBI single to further extend the lead. The Eagles led 4–0 at the end of the second inning.
Florida Gulf Coast added another run in the third inning when
Wilfred Gonzalez, who reached on a single and advanced to third on a throwing error, scored on an RBI flyout by Hessemyer. The score was 5–0 after three innings.
In the fourth inning, Embury hit his second homer of the game, a two-run shot to deep left field, bringing the Eagles' lead to 7–0.
The Wolves responded in the fifth inning with two runs, including an RBI triple by Bowman and an RBI double by Gabe Wuerth. The score was 7–2 at the end of the fifth inning.
In the seventh inning, West Georgia added another run with an RBI single by Bell, making it 7–3.
The ninth inning saw the Wolves' late rally with three runs. Patrick McCullough's RBI single, followed by Bell's RBI single, and a groundout by Landon Weidner added the final run. Despite the rally, Florida Gulf Coast held on for a 7–6 victory.
Eagles will host the Wolves on Saturday, May 9 at 5 p.m. at Swanson Stadium in the second game of the three-game series.
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:
- Jaret Nelson - Totaled 452 career putouts, exceeding the milestone of 450.
- Evan Dempsey finished the game with 9 strikeouts, giving him 105 Ks for the year. That is the second-most strikeouts a pitcher has recorded in a season in Florida Gulf Coast history.
- With the win, the all-time series between the Eagles and UWG is now tied at 5-5.
- Dempsey stole one base in the game, giving him 38 stolen bases in his career. That ranks sixth in program history and he is one away from matching Gage Morey (2014-18) for fifth-most.
- Friday's game against the Wolves marked the 30th game of the season in which Eagles pitchers combined for 10+ strikeouts.
- Team - Achieved at least 10 hits in 2 consecutive games during the current season.
- Team - Scored at least 7 runs in 2 consecutive games during the current season.
- Team - Accumulated at least 7 runs batted in during 2 consecutive games this season.
- Team - Reached the milestone of 525 total hits, contributing 10 in the current game.
- Cayden Hessemyer - Achieved 5 fielding assists, surpassing their season average of 1.34.
- Evan Dempsey - Reached the milestone of 40 runs batted in, including 1 in the current game.
- Jaret Nelson - Reached 293 putouts for the season, surpassing the milestone of 290.
- Jeremy Comer - Achieved the milestone of 30 runs scored this season.
- Jeremy Comer - Reached a total of 55 hits for the season.
- Jon Embury - Reached 72 hits for the season, surpassing the milestone of 70.
- Jon Embury - Achieved 56 runs batted in this season, surpassing the milestone of 55.
- Jon Embury - Recorded a total of 366 putouts this season, surpassing the milestone of 360.
- Nathan Gagnon - Reached the milestone of 50 putouts, contributing 1 in the current game.
- Wilfred Gonzalez - Reached 60 hits for the season, contributing 2 hits in the current game.
- Wilfred Gonzalez - Surpassed 60 putouts this season, totaling 61 with 2 in the current game.
- Embury - Hit 2 home runs in a game for the 4th time this season.
