04/11/2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team (20-12, 6-6 ASUN) lost the opener of its three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series 6-4 to Jacksonville (16-17, 5-8 ASUN) on Friday night at Swanson Stadium.

Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the eighth inning, the Dolphins scored three runs to take a lead they would not relinquish. The rally began with a sacrifice fly by Sammy Mummau that brought home Griffin Pomper, followed by a decisive two-run single by Derek Bermudez.

Jacksonville added another insurance run in the ninth on an RBI single by Blake Edmunds to extend the margin to 6-3.

FGCU attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth, sparked by a two-out walk to Evan Dempsey. After Dempsey stole second, Jaret Nelson drew another walk to put two runners on for Cayden Hessemyer, who lined an RBI single to left-center to bring Dempsey home and cut the lead to 6-4.

The rally—and the game—ended in the next at-bat, as Jeremy Comer struck out swinging to strand the tying runs on base.

The Eagles opened the game with an immediate three-run rally in the first inning. Wilfredo Gonzalez, Jon Embury, and Evan Dempsey loaded the bases with three singles before Jaret Nelson drew a hit-by-pitch to plate Gonzalez for the first run of the night. Embury then crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and Cayden Hessemyer capped the frame with a sac fly to right that brought home Dempsey for a 3-0 cushion.

Kyle Hopper (3-0) earned the win for the Dolphins, allowing two hits while striking out two in two innings of relief work. Dominic Pieto earned his fourth save of the season, giving up one run on one hit while striking out two in the final frame. Hyatt Richardson (4-2) took the loss, giving up five runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

The series continues Saturday at Swanson Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.