05/02/2026

DeLAND, Fla. — Javier Gorostola, Cayden Hessemyer and solid relief pitching from Preston Rogers led the Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team (28-17, 12-10 ASUN) to a 6-2 win on Saturday over Stetson University (18-28, 9-13) in the second game of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series at Melching Field. The win secures the series victory for the Eagles.

The Eagles held a 4-1 lead after the first three innings thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly by Gorostola in the top of the first inning that scored Evan Dempsey, who reached base with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a single by Jon Embury. Gorostola followed with another RBI sac fly in the third that scored Dempsey a second time. Hessemyer added a two-run single later in the frame that brought home Embury and Jaret Nelson.

FGCU’s final two runs came in the fourth on an RBI sac fly by Dempsey that allowed Merrick Raposa to score after Raposa reached base with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Drew Seidel. Embury followed with an RBI sac fly, bringing home Seidel.

Stetson’s two runs came in the third inning on an RBI ground out by Jack Harley that scored Cade Centracchio, and in the sixth on an RBI single by Renzo Gonzalez that brought home Harley.

Rogers (6-3) earned the win for the Eagles, allowing one run on five hits while striking out a career-high six in five innings of relief. Trace Hartman (3-5) took the loss, giving up four runs on six hits in three innings.

FGCU looks for the three-game sweep on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Melching Field.