The seasoned stars shined and the newcomers contributed as the Stetson Hatters kicked off the 2007 campaign with a 5-4 victory over Southern Illinois in front of 2,787 fans at Melching Field at Conrad Park Friday night. Corey Kluber earned the win, Robbie Elsemiller picked up the save and Stetson won its sixth consecutive season opener.
In front of Stetson's second-largest opening day crowd in Melching Field history, the Hatters used a three-run fifth inning to take a 5-1 lead. Junior college transfer Josh Clendenin was hit by a pitch for the second straight at bat to lead off the inning. Veteran Adam Tindle singled to right and Jeremy Cruz walked to load the bases and force out starting pitcher Jordan Powell (0-1). Freshman Kevin Johnson greeted reliever Daniel Wells with a double to right that scored two runners. Shane Jordan followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Hatters a four-run lead.
After the Salukis pulled within a run, Clemens Award and Stopper of the Year candidate Robbie Elsemiller shut the door with two scoreless innings to earn the save (1). That preserved a win for Corey Kluber (1-0), who allowed just one run on three hits over five innings. Jake Hitchcock also tossed two scoreless relief innings.
Johnson and fellow freshman Casey Frawley, along with Tindle each had two hits for the Hatters. Cruz scored twice and Jordan drove in two runs.
Southern Illinois took the game's first lead in the third inning. Scott Elmendorf reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and later advanced two bases on a wild pitch for a 1-0 advantage. Kluber pitched out of jams in the first and fourth innings to keep that one the only run he surrendered.
The freshmen combo of Johnson at shortstop and Frawley at second shored up the middle infield, while sophomore Jeremy Cruz made several difficult digs at first base, which is a new position for him this year.
The Salukis made it a game with an eighth-inning rally. Elmendorf met reliever Blake Marsocci with a line drive that deflected off his glove and ended up as an infield single. A walk and a fielder's choice coupled with an error loaded the bases with no outs. Kelly then delivered a two-run single to make it 5-3. Elsemiller entered and coaxed Tyler Choate into a double play that did bring in another run, but bailed the Hatters out of a potentially bigger inning.
The 1-0 Hatters continue the series with Southern Illinois with a 5:00 first pitch Saturday at Melching Field at Conrad Park. Last year's Atlantic Sun Champion team will receive their rings prior to the game.
