05/10/2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team secured a series victory and its 32nd win of the season Saturday night in the second game of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series, defeating the University of West Georgia 10-5 at Swanson Stadium.

The Eagles (32-17, 15-10 ASUN) relied on a steady outing from starter Chris Diaz and a decisive three-run home run by senior Jaret Nelson to put the game out of reach for the Wolves (13-37, 10-16 ASUN).

“I mean, we were in the dogfight, and we knew it was going to be (a) dogfight,” FGCU head coach Dave Tollett said. “They’re a good baseball team (West Georgia). We’re both fighting for the same dream. Everything has to be earned, and I thought our kids earned it tonight. One through six had two hits apiece. You’re going to win some games when one through six is doing that, and that’s a pretty good night for us offensively.”

The win ensures FGCU will enter Sunday’s Senior Day finale with the series already in hand. The Eagles will honor seniors Jaret Nelson, Nathan Gagnon, Ashton Pocol, Simon Aluko, Brandyn Gonzalez and Logan Eisenbarth prior to Sunday’s first pitch.

Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Eagles scored two runs to retake the lead. Javier Gorostola sparked the rally by reaching third on a triple to center field. After Nelson popped up to shallow center for the second out, Wilfred Gonzalez delivered an RBI single to right field to pull FGCU even.

The Eagles reclaimed the lead when Cayden Hessemyer reached on a fielding error following a collision between two West Georgia players in the outfield. The misplay allowed Gonzalez to hustle home from first base, giving FGCU a 6-5 advantage.

FGCU put the game out of reach in the eighth. Gagnon led off the frame with a single up the middle, and after back-to-back outs, Jon Embury kept the inning alive with a single through the right side of the infield to advance Gagnon to third. Gorostola then drove an RBI single to center to bring home Gagnon. Nelson punctuated the victory in the next at-bat, launching a 372-foot, three-run home run into left field to provide the 10-5 final score.

“[Nelson] is one of those kids that comes here every single day and works as hard as anybody I’ve ever coached,” Tollett said of his senior first baseman. “I will always remember Jaret Nelson for his work ethic.”

West Georgia took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second after Anthony Cole scored on a wild pitch and Jacob Bowman hit an RBI single to score Mason Cooper. FGCU responded in the third with a solo home run by Embury.

The Eagles took their first lead in the fourth on a two-run single to center field by Gagnon that scored Gonzalez and Hessemyer. FGCU extended its advantage to 4-2 in the fifth with an RBI single by Nelson that brought home Evan Dempsey. The Wolves regained the lead by scoring three runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Mason Cooper and a two-run home run by Fano Cruz, giving West Georgia a 5-4 lead.

Chris Diaz (5-1) earned the win after an eight-inning performance on the mound. Diaz finished the night surrendering five runs on nine hits while tying a season-high with 10 strikeouts.

“I’ll tell you what Chris Diaz was as good as I’ve seen, right?” Tollett said. “And the three runs there, I mean, that’s on me. I made some bad decisions there and put Chris in some tough situations, and so I’ll wear that three runs. Besides that, besides me not being a great coach, Chris Diaz was really, really good.”

Lex Kenny (4-5) was charged with the loss for West Georgia, allowing six runs—five of them earned—on six hits in two innings of relief.

As the program prepares for Sunday’s festivities, Tollett noted the significance of the departing class and the end of their home tenure at Swanson Stadium.

“I mean, it’s the end of an era, so it’s the window closing that we always talk to our kids about,” Tollett said. “It’s a bittersweet moment for me, right? I’m happy for the accomplishments. I’m happy for them. Tomorrow is a thank you for all you’ve done, for FGCU, thank you for what you’ve done for the community, and thank you for what you’ve done but it’s always bittersweet for me, right? It’s not my favorite day, because I’m saying goodbye to a lot of, a lot of good kids, man.”

Despite the emotion of the weekend, the Eagles’ head coach made it clear the focus remains on the sweep.

“I mean, we’re all gas, no brakes,” Tollett said. “Winning the series, I mean, we’re going to enjoy it for here about 30 minutes, and we’re going to set it up for BP (batting practice) because it’s an early turn around because of flights. We’re going to forget it and be ready to go tomorrow.”

FGCU concludes its final home series on Sunday, May 10. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the Senior Day Ceremony taking place at 10:15 a.m.