MIAMI (Interstat) — Ryan Rushing pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts as Florida Gulf Coast defeated Florida International 9-8 on Wednesday at FIU Baseball Stadium.

Rushing, who has not allowed an earned run in his past two appearances, scattered no hits and walked none. The Eagles (30-17) collected 12 hits and used two sacrifice flies to build an early lead.

Evan Dempsey went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI for Florida Gulf Coast. Jeremy Comer also homered, finishing 2 for 4 with one RBI.

Florida International (15-33) rallied in the ninth inning on Samuel Fischer’s three-run homer to center field, his second home run of the game. Fischer finished 2 for 4 with four RBI. Andrew Ildefonso added a three-run homer in the first inning.

The Golden Panthers outscored the Eagles 5-0 over the final three innings but could not complete the comeback. Florida Gulf Coast pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts while allowing seven hits.