DeLand, Fla. ? Stetson jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and held on for a 7-4 win over Florida Gulf Coast Saturday night on Melching Field. Brian Pruitt (Miami, Fla.) was the offensive star of the game going 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. He knocked in a single run in the 5^th inning and blasted his 2^nd home run of the season in the 7^th to deliver a pair.  

The Hatters struck first with four runs in the bottom of the 4^th inning. Brian Pruitt (Miami, Fla.) reached base on a throwing error by the shortstop. Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) singled and Josh Clendenin (Atlanta, Ga.) followed with an RBI single to left scoring Pruitt. Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) walked and Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) singled picking up an RBI. With the bases loaded Casey Frawley (New Haven, Ct.) smashed a sacrifice fly deep to right field scoring Clendenin. Crittenden scored the final run of the inning when Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) reached on an error.

The Hatters added a run in the 5^th when Justin Bass (DeLand, Fla.) singled to left, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Pruitt.

FGCU closed the gap with three runs in the top of the 6^th inning to make the score 5-3. Pruitt put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 7^th with a line drive shot over the left field wall for a two-run home run. Bass led the way in the home run trot from second base after ripping a double deep down the left field line.

The Eagles added a single run in the top of the 8^th inning to make the final score 7-4 Hatters.

Stetson starter Andy Mauldin (Gainesville, Fla.) pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up five hits and three runs, all of which were unearned. He struck out three and walked three to pick up the win and run his record to an impressive 6-1 on the season. Freshman Travis Stortz (Safety Harbor, Fla.) finished the game throwing 3 1/3 innings allowing one run on three hits, and striking out two while walking none. He earned the first save of his collegiate career.