DeLand, Fla. ? Tied 5-5 heading into the top of the 8^th inning Stetson gathered itself for a final rally and scored three runs to grab a lead and remain in the winner's bracket of the 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship Baseball Tournament. The key hits were an RBI single by Casey Frawley (New Haven, Ct.) and a double deep to right center by Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) to plate a pair. The Hatters won the game by a final score of 8-5.

Robbie Elsemiller (Okechobee, Fla.) pitched four innings of relief to pick up the victory and even up his season record at 4-4. He allowed just two unearned runs on five hits while striking out four batters and walking none. 

Mercer, the game's designated home team, opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. After a leadoff flair hit to center by Joe Winker (Orlando, Fla.) and a double down the right field line by John Dortch (Tallahassee, Fla.), both players scored on a triple by Michael Langley (Lilburn, Ga.) that just made it past an impressive diving effort by Justin Bass (DeLand, Fla.).

Stetson answered quickly with a pair of runs in the top of the 3^rd. Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) led off with a walk and Josh Clendenin (Atlanta, Ga.) followed with a bloop single to left field. The next batter Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) attempted to advance the runners with a sacrifice bunt, yet reached base himself when the pitcher's throw sailed over the first baseman's head and down the right field line. Simpson scored on the play. Clendenin moved over to third and eventually scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Frawley.

Simpson opened the Hatters' 5^th inning with a double to left field and then scored on a Clendenin single up the middle. For the second time in the game Emory reached first on a throwing error by the pitcher. He eventually scored on a wild pitch and Stetson was in front by two. The Bears added a run in the bottom half to cut the Hatters' lead to 4-3.

In the top of the 7^th Frawley started the inning by smashing a triple off the Brian's BBQ banner on the left center field wall. Cruz was up next with no outs and delivered the “gimme” run for Stetson on a ground ball to the shortstop. The Hatters went into the 7^th inning-stretch up 5-3.

Mercer was equal to the task with two runs in the bottom half on three singles and two costly errors by the Hatters to even the score.

With the win Stetson raised its season record to 26-31 overall and is 1-0 in the A-Sun Tournament. Mercer fell to 24-32 and 0-1. Stetson will return to the Melching Field tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m to take on Gardner-Webb. The Runnin' Bulldogs defeated Belmont 9-7 in 10 innings to remain in the winner's bracket. Mercer will face Campbell at 11:00 a.m. in an elimination game.