DeLand, Fla. - Corey Kluber out-dueled Brantley New in a battle of two of the top pitchers in the Atlantic Sun Conference as Stetson nipped Mercer 3-2 Friday night at Melching Field.  Kluber struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings to improve his record to 5-0 and Robbie Elsemiller recorded his 10th save of the year.

Stetson (19-7, 3-1 A-Sun) struck early and just often enough to get the win.  Aaron Crittenden led off the second inning with a walk and scored the game's first run on a wild pitch.  Ryan Puskar added a single to score Brian Pruitt to give the Hatters a 2-0 lead. 

Mercer (17-9, 3-1) took one of those runs back in the top of the third when John Dortch doubled and scored on a ground out. 

The Hatters regained a two-run cushion in the bottom of the third when Shane Jordan scored on a Justin Bass single to right. 

Brantly New (3-3) then settled down for Mercer, holding the Hatters to only one more hit the rest of the way.  He went the distance, fanning eight in eight innings. 

Kluber pitched into the eighth and after getting the first two outs walked Eric Renfroe before giving way to Elsemiller.  Mercer greeted the Stetson closer with back-to-back singles to plate Renfroe and pull the Bears within a run.  But Elsemiller came back to get the final out, then set down the side in order in the ninth. 

Brian Pruitt put together his second consecutive two-hit game.  Jordan scored for the seventh straight game. 

The series concludes with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m.