FORT MYERS, Fla. – Big and timely hits were the name of the game for the Eagles on Saturday. Florida Gulf Coast's top six hitters all registered multiple hits while
Jon Embury and
Jaret Nelson each hit a home run in a 10-5 win over West Georgia at Swanson Stadium.
The win, the sixth straight for FGCU (32-17, 15-10 Atlantic Sun) secured the conference series over the Wolves (13-37, 10-16). That, combined with Queens 4-3 win over North Florida Saturday night, puts the Eagles just 2 ½ games back of UNF for the Graphic Division lead with four league games left to play.
Jaret Nelson led with a crucial home run and tallied four RBIs, contributing significantly to the team's scoring.
Jon Embury added to the offensive effort with two hits and two runs, including a home run.
Nathan Gagnon contributed with two hits and two RBIs, also stealing a base.
Evan Dempsey totaled two hits and swiped his 39
th career stolen base, tying Gage Morey (2014-18) for the fourth-most career stolen bases in FGCU history.
Javier Gorostola,
Wilfred Gonzalez and
Cayden Hessemyer all registered two hits as the top six hitters in FGCU's lineup all had multiple hits.
Jaret Nelson highlighted the win, going 2-for-4 with a pivotal three-run home run in the eighth that solidified the lead.
"Our top six had a good night, but there are big things like Gagnon in the bottom of the lineup having two hits and a couple RBIs," Nelson said. "The entire Florida Gulf Coast lineup contributed, with Merrick (Rapoza) playing a crucial role in flipping the lineup in key moments."
Reflecting on the team's blue-collar approach, Nelson added, "When it's crunch time, it comes down to how long you want to keep playing together."
As the team prepares for Senior Day on Sunday morning, Nelson emphasized the importance of embracing the moment with family and teammates before returning to business on the field.
Chris Diaz (5-1) delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 8 innings and recording 10 strikeouts. Despite allowing nine hits and five runs, Diaz maintained control, issuing only one walk and throwing 77 strikes out of 102 pitches.
Mattox Meeks provided effective relief, pitching one inning with two strikeouts and allowing just one hit, preserving the scoreless frame without issuing any walks.
Fano Cruz made a significant impact with a home run and two RBIs, contributing one run and one hit in the game. Mason Cooper was also effective at the plate, securing two hits and scoring twice, showing his capability as a reliable run scorer. On the mound, Maverick Torres pitched 3 1/3 innings, recording three strikeouts while allowing four hits and three earned runs. These players demonstrated their skills and contributed to the team's performance in key areas.
West Georgia took an early lead in the second inning, scoring twice. Anthony Cole advanced on a wild pitch, allowing him to score, and Mason Cooper followed with an RBI single, making it 2–0.
The Eagles responded in the third inning.
Jon Embury homered to deep left field, his 17th of the season, cutting the deficit to 2–1 after three innings.
In the fourth inning,
Nathan Gagnon delivered a two-run single to center field, scoring
Wilfred Gonzalez and
Cayden Hessemyer. This shifted the score in Florida Gulf Coast's favor to 3–2.
The Eagles extended their lead in the fifth inning when
Evan Dempsey scored from second base on a single by
Jaret Nelson, bringing the score to 4–2.
The Wolves reclaimed the lead in the sixth inning. Gabe Young scored on a single by Mason Cooper, and Fano Cruz hit a two-run homer, making it 5–4.
Florida Gulf Coast responded in the seventh inning.
Javier Gorostola's triple set up an RBI single by Gonzalez, and a fielding error allowed Gonzalez to score, putting the Eagles ahead 6–5.
The eighth inning saw Florida Gulf Coast solidify its lead. Gagnon singled and scored on
Javier Gorostola's single.
Jaret Nelson then hit a three-run homer to left field, increasing the lead to 10–5.
The Eagles secured the win as UWG failed to score in the ninth inning, sealing a 10–5 victory.
Florida Gulf Coast will host West Georgia in the series finale at Swanson Stadium on Sunday, May 10 at 11 a.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive at 10 a.m. in order to be present for the Senior Ceremony.
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Game Notes:
- Chris Diaz tied a season high by recording 10 strikeouts in the game.
- Evan Dempsey recorded his 39th career stolen base, moving him into a tie for fourth all-time at FGCU with Gage Morey (2014-18).
- Jon Embury hit his 17th home run of the season. One more home run and he will enter the top 10 for home runs in a season in program history.
- Jaret Nelson hit his 10th home run of the season.
- The Eagles' 4 runs in the 8th inning marked their 18th big inning of the season.
- This marked Florida Gulf Coast's 11th come-from-behind win of the season.
- Team - Totaled 14 hits in the game, surpassing their season average of 10.94.
- Team - Scored 10 runs, exceeding their season average of 6.88.
- Team - Registered 9 runs batted in, higher than their season average of 6.4.
- Team - Recorded 10 fielding assists, surpassing their season average of 7.69.
- Chris Diaz - Achieved a season-high total of 10 strikeouts.
- Evan Dempsey - Achieved the milestone of 71 hits this season, including 2 in the current game.
- Jaret Nelson - Reached 61 total hits for the season, surpassing the milestone of 60 with 2 in the game.
- Jaret Nelson - Achieved 45 total runs batted in for the season, meeting the milestone of 45 with 4 in the game.
- Jaret Nelson - Totaled 302 putouts for the season, surpassing the milestone of 300 with 9 in the game.
- Javier Gorostola - Reached the 40 runs scored milestone, with a total of 41.
- Javier Gorostola - Achieved the 75 hits milestone, totaling 75 for the season.
- Jeremy Comer - Reached 71 putouts for the season, surpassing the 70 milestone with 3 in the current game.
- Jon Embury - Scored 2 or more runs in 2 consecutive games.
- Jon Embury - Achieved 2 hits in 2 consecutive games.
- Jon Embury - Reached the milestone of 50 runs scored, totaling 51.
- Jon Embury - Achieved the milestone of 370 putouts, totaling 378.
- Nathan Gagnon - Reached the milestone of 25 career runs batted in, contributing 2 in the current game.
