Eagles win baseball opener 4-3
Brad Roberts’ two-out double in the eighth inning earned the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles the first Division I win in the nation.
The Eagles are now 7-1 in season openers after a 4-3 win over Central Michigan Friday in a game started at midnight at Swanson Stadium in the FGCU Invitational tourney.
Patrick Nathanson earned the win on the mound for the Eagles, while Steve Teno took the loss after going seven-plus innings.
The Eagles (1-0) jumped ahead early in the first after a lead-off single up the middle from senior Josh Upchurch (2-for-3). Shortstop Stephen Wickens followed with a single through the left side. After Upchurch stole third, junior Josh Chester drove Upchurch home with a sacrifice fly to center.
The Chippewas opened a 3-1 lead before the Eagles rallied.
Mikel Avarez laid down a sacrifice bunt down the first baseline to score Upchurch and pull the Eagles within 3-2 in the fifth.
In the eighth Alvarez singled and Chester was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Roberts’ game-winning RBI.
Senior right-hander Derek Shaw slammed the door by punching out two batters in the bottom of the ninth.