Three teams have already been eliminated from the tournament: No. 4 UNF, No. 2 Stetson and No. 6 Lipscomb. Stetson was the host of the tournament and were the defending champions, but after losses to KSU (5-10) and Lipscomb (6-8), they were the first team eliminated from the tournament.
After losing 4-0 to FGCU in the first round, UNF played their crosstown conference rival, JU, and lost 5-8. UNF was the second team eliminated from the tournament.
For Lipscomb, they lost to JU (2-8) in the first round and were sent to the losers bracket. After beating Stetson and eliminating the host team, they played FGCU and lost 3-1. Lipscomb would be the third team eliminated from the tournament.
FGCU started off hot in the tournament beating UNF 4-0, but then fell apart after losing 6-3 to KSU and were sent to the losers bracket. Hoping to stay alive, FGCU beat Lipscomb 3-1 and awaited a matchup between KSU and JU. JU would beat KSU 8-4 and send the Owls to the losers bracket. This was the opportunity that FGCU was waiting for. With the loss, KSU played FGCU in the losers bracket. The winner would play JU in the championship game. This was the last chance for both teams.
KSU would send redshirt freshman Nathan Dupree (1-5, 11.08 ERA) to mound. Hoping to counter the matchup, FGCU would send redshirt junior Mario Leon (4-2, 4.29 ERA) to do the job.
At the top of first inning, Leon was off to a shaky start after surrendering a leadoff single to junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference member and co-A-SUN Defensive Player of the year Grant Williams, but was able to strikeout senior Corey Greeson. After giving up another single to junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference member Austin Upshaw, Leon was able to strikeout redshirt junior Forrest Bramlett, but KSU would bring in the first run after junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference and A-SUN All-Academic Team member, Taylor Allum, hit a single to right. Leon was able to get the final out by striking out A-SUN All-Freshman Team member Garrett Hodges.
In the bottom of the first, FGCU struck back. After Dupree delivered back-to-back walks to junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference member Julio Gonzalez and redshirt junior Gage Morey, A-SUN First Team All-Conference member and A-SUN Player of the Year, Nick Rivera flew out and moved Gonzalez to third. Morey would get caught stealing second for the second out. With hope for FGCU's first run seeming to dwindle away, A-SUN All-Freshman Team member and A-SUN Freshman of the Year, Richie Garcia would walk to first before fellow teammate and A-SUN All-Freshman Team member Marc Coffers would drive in Gonzalez for FGCU's first run on a single before junior Matt Reardon fouled out.
With the score 1-1, Leon was on a strikeout tear by each inning. At the top of the second inning, he struck out two batters and one in the top of the third. He had six strikeouts in three innings.
In the bottom of the third, FGCU's bats struck again. After a leadoff single from Morey and a walk to Rivera, both teams advanced to second and third base on a passed ball. Two batters later, Coffers gave FGCU the lead with a single to right, driving in Morey for the second run. After Reardon walked to load the bases, that was a signal of the end for Dupree and he was pulled from the game after throwing 2.1 innings and walking six batters.
After losing 4-0 to FGCU in the first round, UNF played their crosstown conference rival, JU, and lost 5-8. UNF was the second team eliminated from the tournament.
For Lipscomb, they lost to JU (2-8) in the first round and were sent to the losers bracket. After beating Stetson and eliminating the host team, they played FGCU and lost 3-1. Lipscomb would be the third team eliminated from the tournament.
FGCU started off hot in the tournament beating UNF 4-0, but then fell apart after losing 6-3 to KSU and were sent to the losers bracket. Hoping to stay alive, FGCU beat Lipscomb 3-1 and awaited a matchup between KSU and JU. JU would beat KSU 8-4 and send the Owls to the losers bracket. This was the opportunity that FGCU was waiting for. With the loss, KSU played FGCU in the losers bracket. The winner would play JU in the championship game. This was the last chance for both teams.
KSU would send redshirt freshman Nathan Dupree (1-5, 11.08 ERA) to mound. Hoping to counter the matchup, FGCU would send redshirt junior Mario Leon (4-2, 4.29 ERA) to do the job.
At the top of first inning, Leon was off to a shaky start after surrendering a leadoff single to junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference member and co-A-SUN Defensive Player of the year Grant Williams, but was able to strikeout senior Corey Greeson. After giving up another single to junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference member Austin Upshaw, Leon was able to strikeout redshirt junior Forrest Bramlett, but KSU would bring in the first run after junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference and A-SUN All-Academic Team member, Taylor Allum, hit a single to right. Leon was able to get the final out by striking out A-SUN All-Freshman Team member Garrett Hodges.
In the bottom of the first, FGCU struck back. After Dupree delivered back-to-back walks to junior A-SUN First Team All-Conference member Julio Gonzalez and redshirt junior Gage Morey, A-SUN First Team All-Conference member and A-SUN Player of the Year, Nick Rivera flew out and moved Gonzalez to third. Morey would get caught stealing second for the second out. With hope for FGCU's first run seeming to dwindle away, A-SUN All-Freshman Team member and A-SUN Freshman of the Year, Richie Garcia would walk to first before fellow teammate and A-SUN All-Freshman Team member Marc Coffers would drive in Gonzalez for FGCU's first run on a single before junior Matt Reardon fouled out.
With the score 1-1, Leon was on a strikeout tear by each inning. At the top of the second inning, he struck out two batters and one in the top of the third. He had six strikeouts in three innings.
In the bottom of the third, FGCU's bats struck again. After a leadoff single from Morey and a walk to Rivera, both teams advanced to second and third base on a passed ball. Two batters later, Coffers gave FGCU the lead with a single to right, driving in Morey for the second run. After Reardon walked to load the bases, that was a signal of the end for Dupree and he was pulled from the game after throwing 2.1 innings and walking six batters.
Kennesaw head coach Mike Sansing would make a call to the bullpen and bring in redshirt senior Brock Turner to pitch. With the bases loaded, junior Eli Lovell would get hit by a pitch and bring in Rivera for FGCU's third run of the game.
Leon would continue his strikeout tear with one at the top of the fourth inning and one in the fifth.
In the bottom of the fourth, FGCU, already ahead 3-0, struck again. Gonzalez would start with a leadoff walk. After a fielder's choice by Morey, Rivera would hit a single and move Morey to third. The bases were once again loaded after Garcia walked and then Coffers would hit a sacrifice fly and bring in Morey for the fourth run of the game.
At the top of the sixth, Leon struggled again. After getting Williams to ground out and Greeson to strikeout again, Upshaw would hit a two out single and Bramlett would hit an RBI double for KSU's second run of the game. Leon was able to get Allum to strikeout to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, FGCU struck again. Morey started the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff double. After an intentional walk to Rivera, Garcia would load the bases again with a bunt single. After Coffers struck out, Reardon would bring in Morey for FGCU's fifth run on another sacrifice fly before Lovell struck out.
Leon really struggled in the seventh. After Hodges flew out, Leon gave up back-to-back-back singles with the third one driving in KSU's third run of the game. After getting Williams to fly out and giving up a single to load the bases, Upshaw would tie the game to 5-5 with bases loaded two-RBI single. Head coach Dave Tollett would pull Leon and bring in redshirt junior Kenton Hering (6-3, 2.21 ERA) to finish the inning. After Upshaw stole second, Hering got Bramlett to strike out and end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, KSU would have senior Turner Watkins come in to pitch while FGCU had an opportunity to take the lead in the inning. Levine would strike out and Smith fouled out, but Gonzalez started with a two out single. Sansing would pull Watkins out and send senior Eric Stahl to pitch. After Stahl walked Morey, Gonzalez and Morey advance to second and third for Rivera. Having knowing about Rivera's power, Stahl would intentionally walk him before having Garcia fly out to end the inning.
Soon, Hering was seemingly in a jam in the top of the eighth. After striking out Allum, Hering gave up a double to Hodges and walked redshirt junior Ladonis Bryant. But it meant nothing to Hering as he struck out the final two batters to end the top of the inning.
The bottom of the eighth inning was the most surprising and kind of controversial. After Coffers and Reardon grounded out, Lovell was up to the plate. With a full count, Stahl pitched to what looked like a strikeout and Lovell thought the same thing, but the umpire called the last pitch ball four and Lovell walked to first base.
Leon would continue his strikeout tear with one at the top of the fourth inning and one in the fifth.
In the bottom of the fourth, FGCU, already ahead 3-0, struck again. Gonzalez would start with a leadoff walk. After a fielder's choice by Morey, Rivera would hit a single and move Morey to third. The bases were once again loaded after Garcia walked and then Coffers would hit a sacrifice fly and bring in Morey for the fourth run of the game.
At the top of the sixth, Leon struggled again. After getting Williams to ground out and Greeson to strikeout again, Upshaw would hit a two out single and Bramlett would hit an RBI double for KSU's second run of the game. Leon was able to get Allum to strikeout to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, FGCU struck again. Morey started the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff double. After an intentional walk to Rivera, Garcia would load the bases again with a bunt single. After Coffers struck out, Reardon would bring in Morey for FGCU's fifth run on another sacrifice fly before Lovell struck out.
Leon really struggled in the seventh. After Hodges flew out, Leon gave up back-to-back-back singles with the third one driving in KSU's third run of the game. After getting Williams to fly out and giving up a single to load the bases, Upshaw would tie the game to 5-5 with bases loaded two-RBI single. Head coach Dave Tollett would pull Leon and bring in redshirt junior Kenton Hering (6-3, 2.21 ERA) to finish the inning. After Upshaw stole second, Hering got Bramlett to strike out and end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, KSU would have senior Turner Watkins come in to pitch while FGCU had an opportunity to take the lead in the inning. Levine would strike out and Smith fouled out, but Gonzalez started with a two out single. Sansing would pull Watkins out and send senior Eric Stahl to pitch. After Stahl walked Morey, Gonzalez and Morey advance to second and third for Rivera. Having knowing about Rivera's power, Stahl would intentionally walk him before having Garcia fly out to end the inning.
Soon, Hering was seemingly in a jam in the top of the eighth. After striking out Allum, Hering gave up a double to Hodges and walked redshirt junior Ladonis Bryant. But it meant nothing to Hering as he struck out the final two batters to end the top of the inning.
The bottom of the eighth inning was the most surprising and kind of controversial. After Coffers and Reardon grounded out, Lovell was up to the plate. With a full count, Stahl pitched to what looked like a strikeout and Lovell thought the same thing, but the umpire called the last pitch ball four and Lovell walked to first base.
The whole crowd and both teams were shocked, and looking from an unbiased view that should have been a strikeout to end the inning. Sansing, with so much rage, tried to argue the call and called the umpire out, but the umpire gave him a warning, which could've lead to a possible ejection if he was warned again. Even Lovell thought he struck out. Stahl would give up back-to-back singles to Levine and Smith before Gonzalez grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
The top of the ninth became intense. Hering would strike out Williams, but Williams would reach second after a wild pitch and a Levine throwing error to first. Greeson would groundout for the first out and move Williams to third. Upshaw would pop out to Gonzalez for the second out leaving it up to Bramlett to try to bring the game-winning run. Bramlett, however, would not get the job done and Hering with so much excitement, struck out Bramlett and shout out loud "Let's go" to end the inning.
It was now down to the bottom of the ninth for FGCU. Morey started the inning with a leadoff walk. Hoping not to be walked again, Rivera lined a single to right. After a Garcia sacrifice bunt, Coffers was intentionally walked to load the bases for Reardon. Reardon only needed to bring in one run to win the game, so he could hit a sac fly, a bases loaded single or try and draw a walk to do so. With a 2-2 count, Reardon hit a fly ball to left with two possible outcomes: a sac fly or a hit. Greeson missed the ball and Morey would score on Reardon's single. FGCU would win the game 6-5 and will face JU in the championship game.
"That was the clutch hit we had been looking for all night, and Matt has been playing with nothing but heart and guts right now," said Tollett. "We needed that. We're on fumes right now, but there's a little gas left in that tank. All of our pitchers did a great job today. Garrett (Anderson) turned in a heck of a performance in game one, and Mario (Leon) and Kenton (Hering) backed him up in game two. Kenton was really special. I don't know the last time I saw a performance like that in the backend. It gets us to 40 wins, and I think we can talk about a real chance at an at-large berth. We're playing for the automatic bid first and foremost, though."
Leon, despite a tremendous game he played, would receive a no-decision after throwing 6.2 innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits with a career-high 10 strikeouts. Hering would be credited with his seventh win of the year after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while giving up one hit, walking one batter and striking out six.
Stahl would be credited with the loss after 1.2 innings and giving up one run on four hits and walking four batters.
Four players from FGCU had multi-hit games.
Morey was 2-for-3 with a single, a double, three walks and four runs scored, Rivera was 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored and three walks (two intentional), Coffers was 2-for-3 with two singles, three RBIs and a walk and Levine was 2-for-5 with two singles.
FGCU was walked 14 times throughout the whole game (three to Rivera and Morey, two to Gonzalez and Garcia and one to Coffers, Reardon, Lovell and Smith).
As a result of the loss, KSU was the fourth team eliminated from the tournament. FGCU will now play JU in the championship game on Saturday at 1 pm. If JU wins, they will win the conference tournament and an automatic bid in one of the regionals of the national tournament. If FGCU wins, they will have to play JU a second time for the championship since JU did not lose a game throughout the whole tournament.
Neither FGCU nor JU have ever been to the regionals of the tournament, so this will be their golden opportunities. Also, if FGCU lost, they might have a possible at-large bid for the tournament from their RPI ranking points. They are currently No. 41 in the NCAA's RPI rankings poll while JU is No. 56, so anything is possible to happen.
One team will represent the A-SUN in the tournament. Who will it be? The answer relies on the final championship game(s).
The top of the ninth became intense. Hering would strike out Williams, but Williams would reach second after a wild pitch and a Levine throwing error to first. Greeson would groundout for the first out and move Williams to third. Upshaw would pop out to Gonzalez for the second out leaving it up to Bramlett to try to bring the game-winning run. Bramlett, however, would not get the job done and Hering with so much excitement, struck out Bramlett and shout out loud "Let's go" to end the inning.
It was now down to the bottom of the ninth for FGCU. Morey started the inning with a leadoff walk. Hoping not to be walked again, Rivera lined a single to right. After a Garcia sacrifice bunt, Coffers was intentionally walked to load the bases for Reardon. Reardon only needed to bring in one run to win the game, so he could hit a sac fly, a bases loaded single or try and draw a walk to do so. With a 2-2 count, Reardon hit a fly ball to left with two possible outcomes: a sac fly or a hit. Greeson missed the ball and Morey would score on Reardon's single. FGCU would win the game 6-5 and will face JU in the championship game.
"That was the clutch hit we had been looking for all night, and Matt has been playing with nothing but heart and guts right now," said Tollett. "We needed that. We're on fumes right now, but there's a little gas left in that tank. All of our pitchers did a great job today. Garrett (Anderson) turned in a heck of a performance in game one, and Mario (Leon) and Kenton (Hering) backed him up in game two. Kenton was really special. I don't know the last time I saw a performance like that in the backend. It gets us to 40 wins, and I think we can talk about a real chance at an at-large berth. We're playing for the automatic bid first and foremost, though."
Leon, despite a tremendous game he played, would receive a no-decision after throwing 6.2 innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits with a career-high 10 strikeouts. Hering would be credited with his seventh win of the year after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while giving up one hit, walking one batter and striking out six.
Stahl would be credited with the loss after 1.2 innings and giving up one run on four hits and walking four batters.
Four players from FGCU had multi-hit games.
Morey was 2-for-3 with a single, a double, three walks and four runs scored, Rivera was 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored and three walks (two intentional), Coffers was 2-for-3 with two singles, three RBIs and a walk and Levine was 2-for-5 with two singles.
FGCU was walked 14 times throughout the whole game (three to Rivera and Morey, two to Gonzalez and Garcia and one to Coffers, Reardon, Lovell and Smith).
As a result of the loss, KSU was the fourth team eliminated from the tournament. FGCU will now play JU in the championship game on Saturday at 1 pm. If JU wins, they will win the conference tournament and an automatic bid in one of the regionals of the national tournament. If FGCU wins, they will have to play JU a second time for the championship since JU did not lose a game throughout the whole tournament.
Neither FGCU nor JU have ever been to the regionals of the tournament, so this will be their golden opportunities. Also, if FGCU lost, they might have a possible at-large bid for the tournament from their RPI ranking points. They are currently No. 41 in the NCAA's RPI rankings poll while JU is No. 56, so anything is possible to happen.
One team will represent the A-SUN in the tournament. Who will it be? The answer relies on the final championship game(s).
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