DeLand, Fla.- Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) blasted his fourth home run of the season and fourth in the past three games to lead Stetson (4-11) to an 8-4 win over Central Michigan (4-9) Wednesday night at Melching Field.

Stetson starting pitcher Lindsay Caughel (Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep.) threw five complete innings to pick up the win. He gave up no earned runs while striking out eight batters and walking none to run his record to 2-0 on the season.

Senior Jake Hitchcock (Alachua, Fla.) pitched the final 3 1/3 innings giving up one run and striking out a batter. He picked up the first save of his career.

After giving up single unearned runs in the first and second innings Stetson answered with two in the bottom of the second. Cruz led off with a solo homer deep over the fence in left center. After three singles by Aaron Crittenden (Fort Meyers, Fla.), Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.), and Joe Castellanos (Brandon, Fla.) the Hatters had the bases loaded with one out. Crittenden ended up scoring the tying run on a wild pitch.

The following inning Stetson took the lead for good when Casey Frawley (New Haven, Ct.) reached on an infield single and scored on a double to right field. Cruz was out on a close play at third after trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Stetson scored two more runs in the fifth inning and two again in the seventh. In the fifth Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) led off with a single up the middle and eventually scored on an RBI single by Crittenden. Cruz, who was intentionally walked, scored on a single down the right field line by Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.). In the seventh Frawley scored on a bases loaded double play ball and Cruz scored on a double to left field by Jones.

The Hatters added a final run in the eighth when Emory singled up the middle, stole second base and scored on an RBI double by Frawley down the right field line.

The Hatters have now won two of their last four games heading into conference play this weekend at Jacksonville University. The first game will be Friday night at 6:30. Games on Saturday and Sunday will both be played at 1:00 p.m. Stetson fans can hear all the games on Hatter Vision found at www.gohatters.com. The voice of Hatters baseball Bill Topping will call the action.

After another game at Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday (3/17), Stetson will be back home next week for a single game against Indiana on Wednesday, March 18. Tickets for all Stetson home games can be purchased on line at gohatters.com or at the gate on game day.