FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast used Brady Anderson the whole way on the hill Saturday, as the Eagles claimed a 6-1 decision from Bethune-Cookman in the second game of a three-game series at Swanson Stadium. With the win, FGCU claimed the series victory heading into Sunday's finale.
For the second consecutive game, FGCU (10-12) used just a single pitcher to stymie the Bethune-Cookman offensive attack, as Brady Anderson allowed just four hits in the contest.
B-CU (6-19) was able to crack the runs column, as the Wildcats took an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The Cats took advantage of an FGCU error to put freshman third baseman Mijon Cummings aboard with one out. Cummings stole second to put himself into scoring position, where left fielder Jordan Robinson would plate him on the next play with a RBI single to left.
FGCU was unable to solve B-CU starter Alex Seibold the first time through the lineup, as the junior from Lauderhill, Florida failed to give up a hit through the first 11 men to greet him.
However, that would change in the home-half of the fourth inning as the Eagles plated four runs and sent eight men to the plate.
Second baseman Jake Noll led things off with a single to right, followed Nick Rivera drawing a walk in the next at-bat. A sac bunt from Colton Bottomley advanced both runners up a base, before left fielder Zach Spivey's run-scoring single past B-CU second baseman Brandon Amendolare pushed across Noll for FGCU's first run of the game. On the ensuing play, Adam Eggnatz produced a sac fly to plate Rivera, followed by designated hitter Zachary Orchard's RBI double inside the bag at first, scoring Spivey for the 3-1 advantage.
The Eagles made it 4-1 off the bat of Kyle Gilbert, as the catcher laced a single through the left side to bring in Orchard from second.
FGCU added to the lead in the fifth when Rivera produced a two-out, run-scoring single to left field, pushing the lead up to 5-1. Third baseman Tyler Selesky scored the run for the Eagles after walking to lead off the FGCU order.
The Eagles tacked on an insurance run in the eighth off B-CU relief pitcher Danny Melgarejo, with Selesky pushing across Matt Reardon courtesy a single through the right side just past the outstretched glove of Amendolare.
With the win, FGCU starting pitcher Brady Anderson kept his record clean on the year, improving to 2-0. In the complete game effort, he allowed an unearned run on just four hits. He also struck out a season-high 10 batters.
Seibold took the loss for B-CU, evening his record for the year at 2-2. He was tagged for five runs on four hits, striking out four and walking four. Freshman Joseph Calamita worked an inning and two-thirds in relief action, allowing two hits and striking out a batter.
It was Melgarejo finishing up the game on the bump, giving up a run on three hits with two walks issued.
The B-CU offense was led by Robinson's RBI single in the fourth inning. Also securing hits were Cummings, Nathan Bond and Clay Middleton.
The FGCU offense was paced by Noll and Spivey, each recording two hits, adding Spivey's RBI.
Bethune-Cookman will look to salvage a game in the weekend series in Sunday's finale back at Swanson Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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