03/20/2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team suffered its first Atlantic Sun Conference loss of the season Friday, falling 5-4 on a walk-off walk to the University of North Florida at Harmon Stadium.

The Ospreys (11-12, 3-1 ASUN) erased a late deficit, tying the game 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth when Seth Alford was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Jackson Schrafft. North Florida sealed the comeback victory moments later when Carter White drew bases-loaded walk to bring home Finn Howell.

FGCU (17-5, 3-1 ASUN) appeared in control early, holding a 4-0 lead through seven innings. Evan Dempsey provided the power with a two-run home run in the sixth, followed by RBI singles from Javier Gorostola and Dempsey in the seventh.

Gorostola finished the day 3-for-5, extending his remarkable hitting streak to 40 games. Dempsey led the Eagles’ offensive effort, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs.

The North Florida rally began in the eighth inning with a three-run home run by Alford to cut the lead to one, setting the stage for the ninth-inning heroics.

Clay Hendry (1-3) earned the win for the Ospreys, striking out one in an inning of relief. Ashton Pocol (2-2) was charged with the loss, allowing two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

The Eagles will look to even the series in the second game Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.