- March 31, 2026
University pitcher Tyler Kniebbe (left) tries to pick off FPC's Paul Bowen at first. But Bowen beat Nathan Tillis' tag. Photo by Keishia McLendon
The Bulldogs celebrate Nole Hemmerle's (7) third-inning home run. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC submarine pitcher Jordan Gonzalez throws to the plate. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC first baseman Paul Bowen takes the throw as a University player dives back to the bag. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Jordan Gonzalez drops down to pitch. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Marion Clayton swings at a pitch. Clayton went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Nole Hemmerle went 3 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Paul Bowen (4) catches a pickoff throw from pitcher Jordan Gonzalez. Photo by Keishia McLendon
Paul Bowen applies the tag on a pickoff attempt. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC submarine pitcher Jordan Gonzalez winds up. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Paul Bowen gets the out at first. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Nick Pandich squares to bunt. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC conference on the mound. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC first baseman Paul Bowen gets the force out. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Paul Bowen stretches to make the catch at first base. Photo by Keishia McLendon
A University basehit gets by FPC second baseman Nick Pandich. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC reliever Nole Hemmerle. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC second baseman Nick Pandich (1) makes the catch in front of center fielder Marion Clayton. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC shortstop Kyle Gordon fields a grounder. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC third baseman Carson Flis warms up between innings. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC's Carson Flis runs to first. Photo by Keishia McLendon
FPC second baseman Nick Pandich applies the tag. Photo by Keishia McLendon
Jordan Gonzalez is pleased with his new submarine style pitching delivery, but he his Flagler Palm Coast teammates and coaches were not pleased with the Bulldogs’ 5-3 home loss to Orange City University on Monday, March 30, in the first round of the Five Star Conference baseball tournament.
FPC, the second seed in the tourney, dropped into the consolation bracket where the Bulldogs (13-7) were scheduled to host New Smyrna Beach (4-12-1) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. The winner will play in the fifth-place game on April 2.
Gonzalez pitched 6.1 innings allowing four earned runs on seven hits including a second-inning home run to Aiden Shaw.
FPC scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead with Gonzalez contributing with a run-scoring single. But the Titans (10-9) scored a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh while University starter Tyler Kniebbe and reliever Jaden Palmer kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in the last two innings.
Nole Hemmerle had a big day for FPC with a solo home run in the third inning and a single and a run scored in the fifth. Hemmerle went 3 for 4 on the night. But the Bulldogs as a team left eight men on base and struck out 11 times.
“We didn’t play well tonight,” FPC coach Kyle Marsh said. “We didn't make the routine plays in the beginning of the game, and it came back and bit us, and we didn’t make adjustments at the plate. We just struggled all night. Props to (Kniebbe). He came in and did his job, but we weren’t prepared.”
Gonzalez, who has a 3.16 earned run average over a team-high 37.2 innings, has been solid all season with his new submarine delivery, bending his torso and releasing the ball almost near dirt level.
“Gonzo did what Gonzo has done all season,” Marsh said. “He gave us a chance to win.”
The senior made the switch from the more conventional over-the-top delivery in the fall.
I like throwing sub a lot more. I tore my MCL over the summer, so I couldn't throw for a while, and I came back and I was throwing pretty bad from over the top, so I just switched.
— JORDAN GONZALEZ,
“I like throwing sub a lot more,” Gonzalez said. “I feel like it's a lot better. I tore my MCL over the summer, so I couldn't throw for a while, and I came back and I was throwing pretty bad from over the top, so I just switched. It's been a lot better since. Every start, I feel like I get a little better, and my stuff gets a little better.”
Marsh said the submarine delivery will give Gonzalez a better chance of getting an opportunity to pitch in college.
“He’s grown into it and doing a really good job at it,” Marsh said. “It takes a lot of time, and a lot of practice, and I think he's putting a lot of time and effort into really mastering it. And this is just the beginning for him. I just think it gives him more opportunities in college to come in and be a spot relief guy or be a closer. I look forward to see what he can do at the next level.”
The Bulldogs came into the University game having won six of their last seven games. They are currently ranked third in both their district and region. Each win can make a difference for their postseason position.
“We play two more games (in the Five Star tournament), and they matter for our record to get a high regional seed,” Gonzalez said. “Win a regional, and no one cares if we lost Five Star.”
The Bulldogs have three more regular-season games after the conference tournament.
