FORT MYERS, Fla. – The North Dakota State baseball team came up short against Florida Gulf Coast, 9-8, on Wednesday night at Swanson Stadium.

The Bison (9-8) started fast after Brock Anderson and Logan Williams each connected on a home run in the first inning to open up a 2-0 lead. NDSU kept the momentum going into the second frame as Calen Schwabe used a sacrifice bunt to score Charley Hesse and Anderson grounded out to the short stop to score Garret Hill and make the score 4-0.

The Eagles (13-4) pushed back with seven unanswered runs over the next three and half innings to open up a 7-4 edge after five. Following a scoreless sixth frame, Anderson connected on a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Hill to cut the deficit to two, 7-5, in the seventh. Hunter Koep then followed it up in the eighth with a three RBI home run to center field to steal the lead, 8-7.

FGCU once again responded in the bottom of the eighth after Alejandro Figueredo sent a two RBI double into center to regain the lead, 9-8. The Bison made one final surge loading up the bases in the ninth, but left all three stranded to drop the contest, 9-8.

NDSU totaled 12 hits as a team with Anderson connecting on a team-high three hits and three RBI.

Ben Smith made the start on the mound and notched one strikeout over 3.2 innings. Joey Danielson (0-1) picked up the loss with two strikeouts over 2.1 innings.

NDSU will be back in action against Fairfield on Friday at the Snowbird Classic. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. CT