DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Florida Gulf Coast hit four home runs en route to an 11-5 victory over Bethune-Cookman at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Bethune-Cookman (9-5) struck first in the opening inning. Darryl Lee reached after being hit by a pitch and later scored when Jorge Rodriguez doubled to left field, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

FGCU (11-3) responded in the third inning. After Evan Dempsey walked, Jon Embury launched a two-run home run to left-center to put the Eagles ahead. A fielding error later in the inning allowed another run to score, extending the lead to 3-1.

The Wildcats answered in the bottom half of the third. Darryl Lee doubled before Jeter Polledo drove him in with an RBI triple. Maikol Lucena followed with an RBI single, and Sergio Rivera later drew a bases-loaded walk to give Bethune-Cookman a brief 4-3 lead.

FGCU quickly reclaimed momentum in the fourth. Jaret Nelson led off the inning with a solo home run before Embury added his second homer of the game, a two-run shot that pushed the Eagles back in front 6-4.

The Eagles added another run in the fifth on an RBI single from Nelson and stretched the lead to 8-4 in the sixth when Javier Gorostola homered to left field.

Bethune-Cookman trimmed the deficit in the sixth. Pinch hitter Ruben Zuany walked and later scored on Polledo's second triple of the game, making it 8-5.

FGCU added two runs in the eighth on an RBI double by Wilfred Gonzalez and an RBI single from Tyler Herb before scoring once more in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Dempsey.

Evan Dempsey earned the win after allowing four runs over five innings with eight strikeouts, while Reed Biemiller picked up the save with four innings of relief.

Harbersting Abreu took the loss for Bethune-Cookman after allowing seven runs (six earned) in 4 1/3 innings.

• Bethune-Cookman finished with nine hits but left 11 runners on base.
• Jeter Podello went 2-for-4 with a walk, two triples, and two RBI.
• Jose Fernandez recorded three hits.
• Jon Embury hit two home runs and collected four RBI for the Eagles.
• Javier Gorostola and Jaret Nelson each collected three hits for Gulf Coast.

 Game two of the three game series is set for tomorrow at 6 p.m. from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter/X and Instagram (@BCUDiamondCats) and  for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics) and www.bcuathletics.com.
 
--#HailWildcats--