05/16/2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team (34-19, 17-11 ASUN) lost 3-2 in a walk-off to Jacksonville University (28-24, 15-14 ASUN) in the second game of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series on Friday at John Sessions Stadium.

The final result does not affect the ASUN Graphite Division standings, as FGCU already secured second place with Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Dolphins. However, the Eagles will look to bounce back in Saturday’s rubber match in order to carry momentum into the ASUN Championship in DeLand next week.

Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Dolphins loaded the bases after Blake Edmonds and Cade Walter each drew walks, and Sammy Mummau was hit by a pitch. Roger Vergara then drew a walk to bring home Edmonds, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Derek Bermudez stepped to the plate next and lined a two-run, walk-off single to center field, scoring Walter and Mummau to secure the victory for Jacksonville.

FGCU broke the scoreless tie to take an initial 2-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning. Juan Santos and Evan Dempsey began the frame by drawing back-to-back walks. Wilfred Gonzalez followed with a bunt single to the pitcher, loading the bases for the Eagles. Jon Embury then stepped to the plate and laced an RBI single to center field to drive home Santos for the game’s first run. Later in the inning with one out, Cayden Hessemyer worked a 3-1 count and drew a walk, bringing home Dempsey to pad the lead.

Friday night’s loss served as a stark reminder of baseball’s ultimate superstition regarding a no-hitter in progress. The combination of FGCU starter Chris Diaz and reliever Preston Rogers had silenced the Dolphins’ bats without a hit until the eighth inning, when Jacksonville’s Abdriel Delgado broke up the bid with a leadoff single.

Kyle Powers (2-3) earned the win for the Dolphins, surrendering four hits while striking out two in three innings of relief. Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue (2-1) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs in one-third of an inning out of the bullpen.

FGCU and Jacksonville will wrap up the regular season Saturday, May 16, with a 1 p.m. first pitch at John Sessions Stadium. The series finale will also serve as Senior Day for 13 Dolphins players and team manager Carson Goldberg.