FIU’s baseball team lost 9-8 to Florida Gulf Coast University on May 6 in its last midweek contest of the season at FIU Baseball Stadium.
The game saw five lead changes, with FIU (15-33) fighting until the final inning but falling short against the Eagles. The result marks another close loss for the Panthers as they approach the end of their schedule.
FGCU scored first in the opening inning, but FIU responded when Samuel Fischer and Cooper Rasmussen drew walks and Andrew Ildefonso hit a three-run home run, giving FIU a brief lead. The Eagles answered with three runs in the second inning to regain an advantage. Fischer tied it again with an RBI single later that inning.
A failed pickoff attempt allowed Ildefonso to score in the third, but FGCU evened things up with a solo home run. The Eagles added two runs in the fifth, a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and another solo homer in the seventh for a 9-5 lead. In their final push during the ninth inning, Cole Cleveland doubled and Trey Freeman walked before Fischer hit his second consecutive game home run—a three-run shot—cutting FGCU’s lead to one run. However, FIU stranded the tying runner as FGCU secured victory.
Nine pitchers appeared for FIU during this game. Matthew DelVecchio made his first start of the season and allowed one earned run over one inning; Jarek Woodward gave up three earned runs; Brennan Confreda pitched 1.1 innings with two strikeouts; Quin McManmon, Cooper Foster, Rene Lastres, Mason Koczwara, and Bryce Turner also pitched out of relief.
Offensively, FIU recorded nine hits led by multi-hit games from Fischer, Marc Hersh, and Ildefonso. Cleveland contributed a double while Rasmussen reached base on a walk.
Looking ahead, FIU will host Middle Tennessee State University for its final home weekend series from May 8 through May 10 at FIU Baseball Stadium. The games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
