FGCU clips Penn St. 12-11 in 14 innings
Former Mariner High standout Robert Greene was prepared for the increased playing time with the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles this season. He was even ready for a little overtime Tuesday night.
Greene, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound catcher, was behind the plate for all 14 innings and threw out three runners attempting to steal in the Eagles’ wild 12-11 victory over Penn State.
“It’s hard to describe. It just feels great to be out here playing Division I baseball,” said Greene, who saw limited action last season as a redshirt freshman.
After two seniors graduated, Greene stepped in as the Eagles’ starting catcher. He’s one of two former Mariner players currently with the Eagles, the other being senior center fielder Josh Upchurch.
They each contributed, along with many others players, in Tuesday’s marathon, come-from-behind win.
Upchurch had a triple in the first inning, walked and scored during the Eagles’ seven-run eighth-inning rally.
Penn State had built an 11-4 lead, but the Eagles batted around and tied the game in the eighth. Sophomore Tim Roberson hit a grand slam in that inning and finished with two home runs and six RBI.
Upchurch said the Eagles (9-5), who have won five straight, have had a few comeback wins already this season.
“It seems like we’ve fought back a lot so far,” he said. “We just always stay up.”
The great irony to Tuesday’s game is that through nine innings the teams combined for 29 hits and 22 runs. They finally found the pitching they were searching for in the extra innings.
FGCU’s Derek Shaw went the last 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out seven and held the Nittany Lions without a hit.
Both Jesse Alfreno and Scott Kelley threw well for the Nittany Lions (5-6) in extra innings.
Finally in the 14th, FGCU’s Brad Roberts delivered a two-out single to center to score Stephen Wickens. Upchurch beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt for an infield single in the 14th, which allowed Wickens to advance to second.
Upchurch is coming off a strong junior season in which he batted .325 and scored 54 runs. He helped the Eagles to a 38-15 overall mark and 25-8 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Greene has started all 14 games for the Eagles this season. In addition to playing a strong defensive game Tuesday, he reached base twice and scored two runs.
The Eagles and Nittany Lions play again Wednesday at Swanson Stadium. First pitch is 4 p.m.
Penn State203 132 000 000 00 – 11 17 4
FGCU101 200 070 000 01 – 12 15 3
W – Shaw (2-1). L – Kelley (2-2).
2B – Youngblood (PS), Deese (PS), Wine (PS), Steranka (PS), Roberson (FGCU), Roberts (FGCU), Chester (FGCU) 2. 3B – Upchurch (FGCU). HR – Deese (PS), Roberson (FGCU) 2.