05/23/2026

DeLAND, Fla. — A nearly six-hour weather delay could not cool down the postseason resolve of the No. 3 seed Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team (36-21, 17-12 ASUN). Facing a do-or-die elimination game against top-seeded North Florida (31-24, 22-8 ASUN) on Friday morning, the Eagles survived a midday disruption to pull off a 3-1 upset at Melching Field at Conrad Park, keeping their Atlantic Sun Conference Championship hopes alive.

With the game tied at one run apiece, FGCU broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Javier Gorostola ignited the offense with a leadoff single up the middle. Following a flyout by the next FGCU batter, Wilfred Gonzalez stepped up to the plate and launched a 355-foot home run into left field, scoring Gorostola and securing the first game-winning RBI of his career to push the Eagles ahead 3-1.

FGCU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth when Cayden Hessemyer reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, allowing Jaret Nelson to score an unearned run, after Nelson got on base on a leadoff hit by pitch and stole second.

North Florida answered in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Jackson Schrafft led off the frame with a single, advanced to second on a throwing error by Ryan Rushing during a failed pickoff attempt, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Seth Alford. Mitchell Collins then delivered an RBI fielder’s choice to second base, allowing Schrafft to cross home plate and tie the game at 1-1.

Ryan Rushing (3-1) earned the win for FGCU, overcoming a terrifying moment during his relief outing when a 107 mph line drive from the Ospreys’ Carter White whistled just past the bill of his cap, sending Rushing straight to the ground. After a brief delay for a medical evaluation, Rushing stayed in the game, allowing just one unearned run on three hits while striking out six in 3 1/3 innings of relief work.

Hyatt Richardson picked up his first save of the season, entering in relief of Rushing during a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth inning. Richardson showed composure, inducing back-to-back flyouts to escape the threat without a single runner crossing the plate to preserve the lead.

FGCU faces another elimination game in the tournament semifinal on Saturday, May 23. The Eagles will square off against the losing team of the marathon battle between North Alabama and Lipscomb, which remained deadlocked in a 3-3 tie in the 13th inning at the time of publication. While the winner of that extra-inning affair advances straight to the ASUN Championship game, the loser must turn right around to face FGCU. First pitch for the semifinal matchup is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.