Box Score
Jacksonville, Fla. ? Stetson starter Nick Pugliese (Deltona, Fla.) pitched a complete game but it wasn't enough as the Hatters dropped a 5-2 decision to the University of North Florida Friday night in Jacksonville. Pugliese gave up 10 hits, struck out four batters and walked just one. His record dropped to 3-3 on the season.
Stetson has now lost its sixth consecutive game. It is the longest winless streak since the Hatters lost the final six games of the 2001 regular season.
Stetson opened up the scoring with a run in the top of the 2nd inning. Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) led off with a single between the shortstop and third baseman and then scored on a two-out triple by Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.). It was the 20th RBI of the season for Crews.
UNF answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning after a one-out double and three singles.
Stetson then tied the score with an unusual run in the top of the 4th inning. With one out Justin Bass (DeLand, Fla.) struck out swinging, yet reached base due to a pitch in the dirt. The throw from the catcher hit Bass on the right elbow and ricocheted down the right field line. Bass used his tremendous speed to make it all the way to 3rd base on the error. Bass then scored when Frank Florio (Long Valley, NJ) followed with a ground out to the right side of the infield.
The Ospreys put up three runs in the bottom of the 5th inning after accumulating three doubles and a single. Neither team scored for the duration of the game.
Stetson's overall record dropped to 15-23, 6-13 in the A-Sun while UNF raised its mark to 22-17 and 12-10.
Stetson will return to Harmon Stadium to take on North Florida in Game 2 of the series Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Game 3 is set for 1:00 p.m on Sunday. Hatters fans can hear all the action on Hatter Vision audio with play-by-play provided by the voice of Stetson baseball Bill Topping. They can also follow the games on GameWatcher by going to www.gohatters.com and clicking on “Live Stats”.
