Tampa, Fla. ? Stetson (9-15) fought back with three runs in the top of the eighth inning and held on for a 4-3 win over USF (13-8) in Tampa Tuesday night. Five Hatters picked up two hits each led by freshman Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) who also knocked in two runs.

Andy Mauldin (Gainesville, Fla.) threw six innings and gave up just four hits and two unearned runs, yet was not involved in the decision. Jake Hitchcock (Alachua, Fla.) registered the win in relief to go to 1-2 on the season. Nick Bohne (Melbourne, Fla.) pitched the final inning, struck out one batter and picked up his first save of the season. Teddy Kaufman (Miami, Fla.) suffered the loss and dropped top 1-1 on the season.

Also picking up multiple hits for the Hatters were Casey Frawley (New Haven, Ct.), Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.), Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) and Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.)

USF took advantage of three early errors by the Hatters and scored single unearned runs in the first and second innings. A spectacular diving catch of a line drive by Casey Frawley with a runner on third ended the second inning and averted more damage. Another excellent defensive play by Frawley cut off a run at the plate in the third inning.

Stetson cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth inning. Alex Hudak (Sorrento, Fla.) led off with a single to left field. After consecutive groundouts Hudak was on third base as Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) stepped to the plate. Rickles delivered with an RBI single past the third base and into left field to make the score 2-1.

It looked like the Bulls would break the game open in the bottom of the seventh. USF opened the inning with three consecutive bunts for hits to load the bases. Stetson countered with Jake Hitchcock on the mound. With the infield playing in the first batter popped up to Frawley at second, Hitch struck out the second and the third grounded out to Crittenden at first base.

Stetson took advantage of the momentum it gained defensively in the seventh to score three runs in the top of the eighth and take a 4-2 lead. Mark Jones Led off with a single up the middle and then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Frawley followed with an RBI single up the middle. Crittenden was next and blasted a double over the centerfielder's head and off the wall to plate Frawley. Rickles knocked in the final run with a single to right field.

USF scored one more run in the bottom of the eighth yet couldn't plate the tying run even though they had the bases loaded. Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) entered with two outs and closed the door.

Stetson will return to DeLand and host Kennesaw State on Friday and Saturday. Friday's game starts at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday's doubleheader will begin 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. Tickets for all Stetson home games can be purchased on line at gohatters.com or at the gate on game day.