05/23/2026

DeLAND, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team (36-22) saw its season come to an end Saturday, falling 6-5 to the University of North Alabama (31-28) in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship tournament semifinal at Melching Field at Conrad Park.

North Alabama’s celebration would prove short-lived, however. The Lions advanced to the ASUN Championship game later in the day, where they suffered a 5-4 walk-off loss to Lipscomb University (29-24) in the 10th inning. The Bisons literally walked to the NCAA Regionals with the game-winning RBI coming on a bases-loaded walk of Kai Holm.

FGCU redshirt sophomore outfielder Jeremy Comer was named to the ASUN Conference All-Tournament Team following the conclusion of postseason play. Comer provided steady offense all week for the Eagles, highlighted by a two-home run performance on Wednesday that propelled FGCU to a 6-3 win over Central Arkansas. In Saturday’s semifinal matchup against North Alabama, Comer continued his productive week by going 2-for-5 at the plate, driving in two runs and drawing a walk. He finished the week with a .400 batting average, .471 on-base percentage, and .800 slugging percentage over the four games FGCU played, while also making eight putouts in the field.

North Alabama broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the fifth inning with an RBI double by Nash Rippen that scored Dylan Coleman. Rippen returned in the seventh inning and launched a two-run home run to score Coleman a second time, extending the Lions’ lead to 6-3. The blast marked Rippen’s 18th home run of the year, officially breaking North Alabama’s all-time single-season school record.

FGCU cut North Alabama’s lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh. Javier Gorostola started off the frame with a single up the middle, and Jaret Nelson followed by reaching on a throwing error by the third baseman, moving Gorostola ninety feet closer to home. Wilfred Gonzalez then reached on a fielder’s choice bunt that saw Gorostola thrown out at third base for the first out. With two aboard, Comer delivered an RBI single through the right side of the infield to score Nelson from second base and move Gonzalez into scoring position.

Nathan Gagnon then reached on a fielder’s choice to first base, moving Gonzalez to third while Comer was forced out at second. The Lions managed to halt the damage there, as the next FGCU batter grounded out to end the inning, leaving the tying runs stranded.

The Eagles had one more opportunity in the bottom of the ninth, falling just short in a 6-5 season-ending loss. Gorostola ignited the inning with a leadoff double to right-center field and quickly moved to third base on a flyout by Nelson. Gonzalez then delivered an RBI double to left-center, scoring Gorostola to pull the Eagles within a single run and prompting North Alabama to bring in closer Josh Bowerman to replace Kelly Crumpton.

Seeking speed on the basepaths, FGCU brought in Drew Seidel to pinch-run for Gonzalez, and momentum seemed to swing further when Comer was hit by a pitch, putting the winning run on first base with Cole Lasher subbing in to run. However, the comeback bid was shattered when the next FGCU batter lined directly into a game-ending double play, and bringing a conclusion to the Eagles’ ASUN Championship run.

The game started promising for FGCU as the Eagles jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After Evan Dempsey flied out to center field for the first out, Jon Embury drew a walk and Gorostola was hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard. Nelson flied out to center field for out number two, but Gonzalez kept the two-out rally alive with a sharp single to left field, advancing Embury to third and loading the bases. Comer then showed discipline at the plate, drawing an RBI walk to bring Embury home and open the scoring. Gagnon followed with a check-swing single down the left-field line, driving in both Gorostola and Gonzalez to cap off the three-run frame.

North Alabama tied the game 3-3 in the top of the third inning. Jackson Westmoreland set the stage for the Lions before Nash Rippen drove him home with an RBI double. Wes Walker then stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run home run to bring home Rippen, completely erasing the Eagles’ early advantage.

North Alabama starting pitcher John Allen Stogner (3-2) earned the victory for the Lions, surrendering three runs on five hits while striking out two over five innings of work. Closer Josh Bowerman was awarded his first save of the postseason, securing the final two outs in two-thirds of an inning of relief. FGCU starter Sebastian Lippman (1-3) took the loss, allowing four runs—only one of which was earned—on six hits in 4 2/3 innings on the mound.