FORT MYERS, Fla. – FIU's baseball program dropped a 10-9 decision in 12 innings to FGCU on Tuesday evening at Swanson Stadium.

FGCU jumped out to an early lead, scoring five runs on five hits in the second inning. FIU (13-27) answered in a big way in the third, erupting for seven runs to take control.

After Enrique Alvarez Jr. drew a walk and Luca Reyes singled, Marc Hersh delivered an RBI single to get FIU on the board. Cooper Rasmussen then reached on an error, allowing Reyes to score and cut the deficit to 5-2. Cole Cleveland followed with a sacrifice fly, and after a single from Andrew Ildefonso, Samuel Fischer ripped a two-run double down the right-field line to tie the game at 5-5.

The Panthers kept the momentum going, loading the bases before Reyes delivered an infield RBI single to give FIU the lead. Hersh later added an RBI walk to cap the seven-run frame and make it 7-5.

FGCU chipped away, scoring on a sacrifice fly in the fourth before adding two runs in the seventh on an RBI groundout and RBI single to regain an 8-7 advantage.

FIU responded in the ninth. Ildefonso and Fischer each singled to set up Mario Trivella, who lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game and force extra innings.

In the 12th, Caden Sammler gave FIU a 9-8 lead with an RBI triple. However, FGCU answered in the bottom half, as Evan Dempsey delivered a walk-off two-run double to secure the 10-9 victory.

Offensively, FIU totaled nine hits, with Fischer, Ildefonso, and Reyes each recording multi-hit performances. Reyes reached base three times on the night.

On the mound, FIU utilized seven pitchers. Mason Koczwara made the start, while Jeremy Urena provided a strong outing in relief, striking out six over four innings. George Adams tossed two scoreless innings, and Tyrus Riley added two no-hit innings with three strikeouts. Bryce Turner was charged with the loss after allowing two earned runs in the 12th.

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