DeLand, Fla. ? The Hatters could not find an answer for the Bears' pitchers Friday night as Stetson (14-19, 6-8) dropped the its second consecutive game to Mercer (13-14, 7-7) on Melching Field.  

Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.) and Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) each had a pair of hits to lead the Hatters who were able to total just five in the game. Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) had the only other hit for the home team.

The Bears opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the fifth off Stetson starter Andy Mauldin (Gainesville, Fla.). Mauldin allowed three runs and five hits, while striking out two in five innings pitched. Freshman Ryan Sweat (DeBary, Fla.) threw 1 1/3 innings giving up a run and three hits. Fellow freshman Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) looked sharp pitching the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out one.

The Hatters marked the scoreboard with their only run in bottom of the sixth. Simpson led off with an infield single and moved to second when Alex Hudak (Sorrento, Fla.) drew a walk. The next batter, Jones singled through the left side, drove in Simpson and chased starting pitcher Dan April from the game with no outs in the inning. April's replacement J.T. Odom entered the game and set down the heart of Stetson's order 1-2-3 to quell the rally. Odom tossed four scoreless innings and registered his second save of the season.

Stetson will host Mercer Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the series finale. 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.