Daytona Beach, Fla. – The Wildcats open up their second series of the year this weekend, welcoming in FGCU to "The Jack" for a three-game set, beginning Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

Game Information

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 25-27
Opponent: Florida Gulf Coast (3-2, 0-0 ASUN)
Time: 7 p.m. / 6 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. / Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Live Stats:  https://bcuathletics.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/BethuneCookman-Baseball-tickets/artist/1394853
 
Last Time Out
 
The Wildcats took a loss to Florida International on Tuesday night. B-CU took an early lead on the Panthers after a homer from Gaylen Rutledge and a bases-clearing triple for Matthew Garcia. The Wildcats could not preserve the lead, however, giving up a five-run sixth inning to fall, 9-4.
 
Scouting the Eagles

FGCU is 3-2 to start the season. The Eagles split a four-game series with Cincinnati opening weekend in a high-scoring weekend that saw the teams combine for 83 runs. FGCU defeated Minnesota, 13-5 Wednesday night. The Eagles have pounded the ball to start the season, averaging almost 12 runs per game through their first five.
 
FGCU has had several standouts at the plate to begin the year. Outfielder Ian Farrow is batting .320 with 10 RBI and two homers. Brian Ellis has hit .368 with six RBI and a pair of homers of his own. On the defensive side, the Eagles have 17 errors through their first five games, and their pitching staff has combined for a 5.80 ERA.
 
The Starters
 
B-CU will send the same trio of starters as opening weekend. Louis Lipthratt gets the ball Friday night looking to build on his impressive opening day start, where he allowed only three hits, no runs, and two walks with six strikeouts over seven full innings of work.

Gabriel White will follow on Saturday looking to bounce back from his last start, where he allowed eight hits and three earned runs in 3.2 innings, striking out three.
 
Joan Gonzalez takes the mound Sunday after last week's outing, where he allowed four earned runs on six hits and five walks in four innings.
 
FGCU will send three right-handers to the mound this weekend. Jason Woodward starts the series opener – he took the loss to Cincinnati on opening night after allowing three runs over four innings, striking out seven.
 
Senior Tyler Shuck goes Saturday after a no-decision last weekend where he allowed four runs over three innings.
 
Najer Victor will start Sunday afternoon – he pitched his way to the victory last weekend, allowing only a single earned run on two hits over 5.2 innings pitched.
 
All-Time Series
 
The Wildcats and Eagles have met on the diamond 33 times previously. The Eagles hold a 20-13 edge in the all-time series. The last time these two teams met, the Wildcats defeated FGCU, 9-1 on March 1, 2020.
 
Notes

• Wildcats outfielders are 10-12 on stolen base attempts through four games. Christopher Patterson has stolen six bases. Malik Stephens has stolen four.
• Four Wildcats starters have an OPS over .900 to start the season – Irvin Escobar leads at a 1.238 OPS, followed by Patterson, Stephens, and Matthew Garcia.
• Wildcat pitchers have struck out 31 batters through 36 innings.

 
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