FORT MYERS, Fla. – Strong offensive innings for the homestanding Florida Gulf Coast Eagles was the difference Sunday afternoon, as the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats dropped the rubber game of a three-game set by a 12-5 decision at Swanson Stadium.
 
With Florida Gulf Coast holding a 2-0 lead after four innings complete, Bethune-Cookman (1-2) was finally able to get to FGCU starting pitcher Mason Studstill in the top of the fifth.
 
Senior shortstop Joseph Fernando kicked off the inning with a single to left, later advancing to third on a fielder's choice and an error charged to FGCU pitcher Studstill. That would be it for Studstill as Trey Vickery toed the rubber in relief.
 
Senior outfielder Zach Spivey logged a RBI fielder's choice in driving home Fernando from third, allowing BCU to chip into the deficit at 2-1.
 
Junior transfer Over Torres later delivered a two-run scoring single shot back up the middle to plate Josten Heron and Spivey in order to give BCU its first lead of the afternoon, 3-2.
 
The lead would be short-lived, however, as Florida Gulf Coast (2-1) used a leadoff double from Alex Brait to put an Eagle into scoring position, allowing Kohl Gilmore to collect the sacrifice fly to left two plays later in scoring the FGCU catcher from third.
 
The score stood tied at 3-all after five innings.
 
BCU stepped in front once more in the top of the sixth when the Wildcats' Brady Van Hook walked, followed by consecutive singles from Fernando and Clarence Carter, respectively. Carter's one-out single up the middle past the glove of shortstop Christian Proffitt allowed Van Hook to score and restore the BCU lead, 4-3.
 
Once again, the Eagles would answer in the bottom of the inning when they scored five to step out to an insurmountable lead, 8-4.
 
Senior right-hander Jordan Pinto worked the sixth inning on the bump for the Wildcats in relief of starting hurler Tyler Krull.
 
It didn't take long for the Eagles to get to Pinto, as Coffers delivered a two-run scoring triple, and teammate Garcia reached on an error from Fernando in order to score Brait two plays later. Brait plated Coffers from third in his at-bat courtesy a single to right center.
 
Florida Gulf Coast would place another four runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh after BCU answered with a run in the top of the inning, using senior first baseman Danny Rodriguez's sacrifice fly to right center in order to score Heron. The Miami native (Heron) worked his way aboard in his at-bat with a single, later advancing into scoring position with a Chase DeBonis single.
 
The win was picked up by FGCU reliever Vickery (1-0) as he went two innings on the rubber, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks. The loss went to BCU's Pinto (1-1) who was slapped for seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and striking out one.
 
Failing to factor into the decision was BCU starter Krull who worked five innings on the hill, allowing three runs on five hits, three walks and picking up four strikeouts.
 
The Wildcats offense was sparked by the play of Fernando with a 2-for-4 afternoon and scoring a run. Torres finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs. And it was Heron scoring two runs of his own on a 1-for-4 day at the plate.
 
Bethune-Cookman stays on the road when the Wildcats travel to Miami on Tuesday to take on the FIU Panthers at 7 p.m.
 
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