04/20/2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Florida Gulf Coast University baseball dropped its second consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference series this weekend, falling in two one-run games to Queens University of Charlotte (12-27, 8-10 ASUN) at the Stick Williams Dream Field. After a 6-5 walk-off loss in Friday’s opener, the Eagles (23-15, 8-9 ASUN) bounced back with a dominant 5-0 shutout on Saturday, only to see the Royals secure the series in Sunday’s rubber match by a final of 6-5.

FGCU entered the final frame of Sunday’s game with a 5-3 lead, but the Royals found late-game magic for the second time in three days. The rally began when Mitchell Basterrechea was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the ninth. After a strikeout, Matthew Suppa singled up the middle—later replaced by pinch runner Jacob Grimes—and a walk to Dylan Schaefer loaded the bases. That set the stage for Lenox Lively, who hammered a one-out, bases-clearing double to left-center. The hit plated Basterrechea, Grimes, and Schaefer, sealing a 6-5 walk-off victory and the series for Queens.

The Eagles came out firing, jumping out to a 5-0 lead through the first three innings. The scoring started in the first when Jaret Nelson drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Evan Dempsey. Moments later, Cayden Hessemyer extended the lead with a sacrifice pop-up to, scoring Jon Embury. FGCU kept the pressure on in the second, as Javier Gorostola laced a two-run single to right field that allowed both Jeremy Comer and Nathan Gagnon to cross the plate. The Eagles added their fifth and final run in the third inning. Nelson, who had reached on a single and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, successfully made it home after a fielding error by the Queens shortstop.

The momentum began to shift in the sixth inning as Queens chipped away at the FGCU lead. Grayson Childers put the Royals on the board with a groundout to shortstop that allowed Schaefer to score. The pressure mounted moments later when Anibal Rivera singled, and a subsequent fielding error by the Eagles allowed Lively to cross the plate, cutting the deficit to 5-2. The Royals narrowed the gap further in the eighth inning. After Schaefer reached base again, Bradley Brown lofted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Schaefer home for his second run of the day. That eighth-inning spark pulled Queens within two, setting the stage for their three-run surge in the ninth.

Reliever Davin Pollard (1-0) earned the win for the Royals, throwing a hitless ninth with one walk. Ashton Pocol (3-4) was tagged with the loss for FGCU, surrendering the game-winning hit.

FGCU 5, Queens 0

FGCU evened the series on Saturday night behind a complete-game shutout from Chris Diaz.

The Eagles broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Gorostola drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single to left that scored Dempsey. Cayden Hessemyer then broke the game open, launching his first career home run—a three-run blast to center—to give FGCU a 4-0 lead. The Eagles added a final insurance run in the fifth. Drew Seidel walked and later scored after a fielding error by the Queens left fielder on a hit by Embury.

Diaz (2-2) earned the win for FGCU allowing three hits, while striking out seven in a complete game effort. Joey Ruller (2-7) took the loss for Queens, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits over seven innings.

Diaz was named ASUN Pitcher of the Week on Monday for his performance.

FGCU hosts Florida International in a nonconference game on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Swanson Stadium.