DeLand, Fla. ? Once again Stetson jumped out to an early lead, yet could not hold on in the end falling 5-4 to USC Upstate. Physical errors, and mental errors took their toll; it was a tough loss for a team looking for a spark, and a return to its winning tradition.

The Hatters came into the series one game out of last place in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The good news is that the team is also one game from the 4^th seed in the upcoming A-Sun tournament. With just five games left in the season every game is vital. The top six eligible teams will come to Melching May 21-24 to compete for the automatic bid into the NCAA Regionals.

Three Hatters had multiple hits in tonight's game. Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) was 2-for-5 with an RBI, Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) was 2-for-4 with a home run, and Justin Bass (DeLand, Fla.) was 2-for-3 with a double, and a home run.

The Bass and Crews home runs came back-to-back in the 6^th inning to give Stetson a 3-2 lead after the Spartans had tied the score in the top of the inning. The visitors answered with a run in the 7^th and a pair in the 8^th to take a 5-3 lead.

Stetson made a great effort to come back in the 9^th. The Hatters scored one run after Brian Pruitt (Miami, Fla.) led off with a triple and scored on an Emory single past the shortstop. Casey Frawley (New Haven, Ct.) was robbed when the Spartan right fielder made a spectacular diving catch of a ball just foul and deep down the right field line. Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) then came to the plate with two outs and hit a towering fly ball deep to right center that was caught at the warning track to end the game.

Stetson starting pitcher Nick Pugliese (Deltona, Fla.) came up with another quality start pitching seven innings and giving up three runs on 10 hits. He struck out seven batters and allowed no walks. David Burns (Seminole, Fla.) took the loss giving up two runs, one earned in two innings of relief. He is now 0-2 on the season.