FORT MYERS, Fla. – Jorge Rodriguez and Jeter Polledo each logged home runs for Bethune-Cookman on Sunday afternoon, but the Wildcats were unable to capture the series victory against Florida Gulf Coast, as the homestanding Eagles claimed a 7-5 rubber game win at Swanson Stadium.
 
Bethune-Cookman (7-9) led 3-2 midway through the fifth inning.
 
In the home-half of the fifth, Florida Gulf Coast (6-9) tied the game at 3-3 when Javier Gorostola scored on a wild pitch from B-CU reliever Aaron Schaefer. Gorostola, the Eagles designated hitter, was hit by a pitch to begin the at-bat. FGCU stepped ahead with a two-run single to right center from left fielder Aidan Corn.
 
The final run of the frame came off the end of a double play turned by the Cats, but saw Mac Moise come in from third to put the hosts up, 6-3.
 
B-CU responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to cut the deficit, 6-5.
 
After Jorge Rodriguez produced a two-out single, designated hitter Jose Fernandez followed with a walk. That set the stage for Jeter Polledo to tally his second triple of the campaign to score both runners.
 
FGCU added an insurance run in order to produce the final 7-5 score line in the eighth when Nathan Gagnon lined a run-scoring single through the right side to plate Jaret Nelson, pinch running for Gorostola, after he singled from the leadoff spot.
 
Bethune-Cookman struck first in the second inning to grab a 2-0 lead.
 
Polledo registered his first home run of the year with a two-run shot – also scoring Fernandez after he was hit by a pitch, with a ball clear the wall in left.
 
FGCU scored a pair of runs to knot the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third.
 
Harrison Povey's two-run home run to right also brought in Gorostola. For Eagles centerfielder Povey, it was his ninth home run of the campaign.
 
Rodriguez responded in kind with a leadoff home run – the second of its kind on the year for the catcher, in the fourth to put B-CU back up, 3-2.
 
Relief pitcher Ethan Mattison (1-0) scored the win in working two innings on the bump, allowing two runs on two hits. The save was collected by Ryland Bozenhard, his first of the campaign, striking out two in the ninth. The loss went to B-CU's Schaefer (0-1), who went just an inning, allowing three runs on two hits and picking up a strikeout.
 
Edwin Sanchez, the B-CU starter on the day, injured himself just one batter into the contest, and was replaced by Brandon Vazquez on the rubber.
 
The FGCU offense used a 2-for-4 showing at the dish from Gorostola, adding a pair of runs. Povey finished 2-for-5 batting with two runs and two RBIs.
 
The B-CU offense was led by Polledo's 3-for-4 afternoon, tallying four RBIs and a run scored. Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI of his own.
 
The Cats return home to Jackie Robinson Ballpark for a midweek contest against Jacksonville on Tuesday, March 11, at 6 p.m.
 
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