FIRST PITCH (GAME 1)
Score: FGCU 11 | Queens 0
Records: FGCU (11-4 overall, 1-0 ASUN) | Queens (4-14 overall, 0-1 ASUN)
Location:Â Swanson Stadium (Fort Myers, Fla.)
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THE SHORT STORY
In the first game of the conference season, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team fell 11-0 to FGCU at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers. The Royals bats were held in check all afternoon by the Co-Preseason Player of the Year, Evan Dempsey, as the right-hander tossed a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-FGCU jumped on the visiting Royals in the bottom of the first inning with two runs on three hits. Javier Gorostola laced a one-out RBI double down the right field line before Evan Dempsey followed with an RBI double to left field to give the Eagles an early 2-0 lead.
-The Eagles tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Nathan Gagnon sent an RBI single through the right side.
-FGCU hung a two-spot on the board in the fifth inning behind four hits and a Queens error. With a runner on first and one out, Evan Dempasey singled to right field, and a Queens error put a pair of runners in scoring position. Wilfred Gonzalez capitalized with a sacrifice fly, and Jeremy Comer followed with an RBI single to center field to extend the Eagles lead to 5-0.
-The Eagles bats stayed hot in the sixth inning, plating four runs on three hits. With two runs already across and two outs, Wilfred Gonzalez roped an RBI triple to right field and Jeremy Comer followed it up with an RBI single to give FGCU a 9-0 lead.
-FGCU capped off a strong opener in the bottom of the seventh inning when Jon Embury belted a two-run home run to left field to secure an 11-0 win for the Eagles.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Hunter Huneycutt and
Charlie Marcantel led the Royals offense with their first multi-hit performances of the season. Marcantel roped his second double of the season.
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Grayson Childers and
Anibal Rivera rounded out the offense with a hit, including a double from Rivera.
-Four Eagles recorded multi-hit games as Jon Embury led the charge with a 4-for-5 game, including a home run and three RBI.
-Evan Dempsey picked up the win on 7.0 shutout innings and 11 strikeouts.
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FIRST PITCH (GAME 2)
Score: FGCU 2 | Queens 1
Records: FGCU (12-4 overall, 2-0 ASUN) | Queens (4-15 overall, 0-2 ASUN)
Location:Â Swanson Stadium (Fort Myers, Fla.)
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THE SHORT STORY
Following an hour-long rain delay, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped a tight pitcher's duel in game two of a Saturday doubleheader against FGCU. Despite the loss, Charlotte native
Joey Ruller turned in another strong performance on the mound, allowing two runs over 7.0 innings pitched.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Following an hour-long rain delay, FGCU struck first in the bottom of the third. Nathan Gagnon led off the inning being hit by a pitch and Wilfred Gonzalez followed with a one-out single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Javier Gorostola stepped in and sent a one-out single to left center to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
-Queens starter
Joey Ruller was dialed in and held FGCU scoreless for three straight frames, but the streak ended in the bottom of the seventh as the Eagles plated a run on one hit. Jon Embury provided the insurance run with a one-out RBI single to right field to extend the FGCU lead to 2-0.
-The Royals wouldn't go away easily, scratching across a run on two hits in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Thomas Mathay beat out a one-out single to shortstop and
Anibal Rivera wore a 2-0 pitch to put a pair of runners on.
Bradley Brown stepped in and turned on a 3-0 fastball, sending it through the left side to plate the Royals first run. FGCU turned to the bullpen and the new arm picked up a fly out and a strikeout to escape and strand two Royals runners.
BY THE NUMBERS
-Queens starter
Joey Ruller turned in another strong performance with two runs on six hits across 7.0 innings. The southpaw has completed seven innings of work in three of his five starts this season.
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Grayson Childers,
Thomas Mathay, and
Bradley Brown turned in the only hits of the game for the Royals. Childers extended his hitting streak to four straight games.
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Owen Shipman made his eighth appearance out of the bullpen and tossed a scoreless frame with a strikeout.
-Jon Embury led the Eagles offense again with a 2-for-4 game, including an RBI.
-After Chris Diaz was pulled due to the rain delay, the Eagles bullpen combined to finish the remaining 7.2 innings and only allowed one run and struck out eight.
NEXT UP
Queens and FGCU will wrap up the series tomorrow, March 14
th at 1:00 p.m. The afternoon first pitch is a time change due to inclement weather in the forecast in the evening.
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