FGCU wins 8th straight
The FGCU baseball team entered Tuesday night’s game looking for its eighth straight win and got it after a late-inning rally helped the Eagles prevail over the Florida Atlantic 7-3 at Swanson Stadium.
The Eagles improve to 30-16, which makes it the seventh straight year the FGCU baseball has won at least 30 games. FAU drops to 25-21 on the season.
FGCU took an early lead, scoring one run in the first inning. FGCU leadoff hitter, Josh Upchurch sent an 0-1 fastball over the right-field fence for his fifth home run of the season.
In the top of the third, Colby Gratton led off the Owl half with a single to left. After a single to shallow right and a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, the Owls had men on second and third with only one out. A sac-fly to left allowed one run to tie the game.
In the top of the fourth, Nick Criaris gave the Owls their first lead by belting a solo home run over the right-field fence.
The Eagles regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Joe Guarnaccia lead off with a walk followed by a single by Upchurch. Tim Roberson drove in one run for his team leading 57th RBI. After Zach Maxfield walked to load the bases, Upchurch scored from third on a fielder’s choice.
The Eagles separated themselves by scoring three runs on two hits in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Josh Chester’s two-RBI single to right field extended his hitting streak to 19 games. Sophomore Steven Wickens added an RBI single for a 6-3 lead.
The Eagles are back in action Wednesday at No. 9 Florida.