FORT MYERS, Fla. – A dramatic extra-inning affair saw Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) baseball defeat North Dakota State 19-18 in 11 innings on Saturday, continuing a weekend series at Swanson Stadium. The Eagles (2-0) rallied from a significant deficit, fueled by a late grand slam from Jaret Nelson and a clutch performance from Evan Dempsey, who tied a school record by scoring six runs in the game.
The Eagles found themselves trailing 17-12 heading into the eighth inning, but Nelson’s grand slam – a 409-foot shot to deep left field – dramatically narrowed the gap to 17-16. FGCU head coach Dave Tollett described the hit as “one of the biggest I’ve seen here,” highlighting its pivotal role in shifting the momentum.
North Dakota State (0-2) briefly extended their lead with a solo home run in the ninth, but FGCU responded immediately. Javier Gorostola delivered a two-out double, scoring Nathan Gagnon and Dempsey to tie the game at 18-18 and force extra innings.
The game remained tied until the 11th inning, when a pinch-hit walk-off single to left center by Cole Lasher brought Dempsey home for the winning run. Dempsey’s six runs scored tied a program record. The victory came after a season-opening game on Friday that was markedly different in pace and scoring.
The Eagles utilized a total of eight pitchers, setting a new school record with 21 strikeouts. Ryan Rushing (1-0) was credited with the win, while Matt Sargeant (0-1) took the loss. The high-scoring contest saw FGCU record 20 hits, but also leave 14 runners stranded on base.
The game was also characterized by a high number of hit batters, with FGCU players being hit seven times by Bison pitchers. The Eagles also drew eight walks, while North Dakota State benefited from 11 walks issued by FGCU pitchers. The combined total of 37 runs scored is the third-highest in FGCU’s history.
“I’ve never been in two games like this that have been just total opposites,” Tollett remarked, reflecting on the contrasting nature of the two games played so far this season. “But I tell you, it’s shown me a lot about these guys.”
FGCU will aim to complete a series sweep of North Dakota State on Sunday, with the final game scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. At Swanson Stadium.
Game Notes:
- FGCU now holds a 53-30-1 record in extra-inning games.
- This marks only the fourth time in program history that FGCU has played consecutive extra-inning games and the first time since 2016.
- The Eagles’ pitching staff achieved a school record of 21 strikeouts in the game.
- The 37 combined runs scored on Saturday represent the third-highest total in FGCU baseball history.
- FGCU players were hit by pitches seven times, matching the third-highest number in a single game in program history.
- Evan Dempsey tied a school record by scoring six runs in the game.
The Eagles’ performance comes after a 2025 season that saw them claim a share of the ASUN Conference baseball championship, though the tournament was cut short due to inclement weather. According to reports, FGCU finished the 2025 season with a 31-29 record, with Jaret Nelson and Evan Dempsey among those recognized on the ASUN All-Tournament Team.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, FGCU enters with a sense of unfinished business. Reports indicate that the team is motivated by a heartbreaking end to the previous season, where a rain delay rule prevented them from advancing to the College World Series. The team is led by preseason All-American Evan Dempsey and boasts a largely returning pitching staff, setting high expectations for the year.
