FORT MEYERS, Fla. – The Fairfield University Baseball team split a doubleheader with the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, taking the opener 7-6 before falling in the nightcap 14-4.
 
Game One: Fairfield 7, FGCU 6
 
Matt Venuto had the big hit in the first game as he cleared the bases with a three-run double to give Fairfield a 5-1 lead and the team held on for the 7-6 victory.
 
Evan Berta started the scoring with a RBI single to right in the second inning, plating Venuto for the game's first run. Matt Zaffino would add another run with a single in the fifth and Venuto highlighted the four-run inning with the double.
 
Mike Becchetti capped the early Fairfield scoring with a solo shot in the seventh, his third home run of the spring. Matt Bergevin would cap the scoring as he crossed the plate on a wild pitch in the ninth.
 
Jake Noviello was impressive in his four innings of work, surrendering a lone run in his last frame. The right-hander struck out six while striking out the side in the fourth.
 
Nick Grabek was credited with the win after tossing three innings in relief. Jack Erbeck was called upon in the ninth and earned his first career save after getting the final two outs and stranding the game-tying run at second.
 
Venuto led a trio of Stags with multi-hits as he picked up a season-high three base knocks. Berta and Matt Bergevin also had two hits.
 
 
Game Two: FGCU 14, Fairfield 4
 
The Stags took a 4-2 lead in the third on a grand slam by Matt Bergevin, but that was the only scoring for the team as they fell 14-4 in eight innings. The long ball was the first in Bergevin's Fairfield career.
 
Grant Smeltzer and Bowen Baker were the two most effective Fairfield relievers as the duo combined for 2.1 scoreless frames.
 
The Eagles scored six runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to open up the game.
 
Fairfield will continue their eight-game stay in the state of Florida when they take on Bradley on Tuesday at 1pm.