Box Score DeLand, Fla. ? The Hatters scored three runs in the first inning and then cruised to a 12-2 win over the Wildcats Tuesday night on Melching Field. It was the second victory for Stetson (16-19) in three games this season against Bethune-Cookman (18-18). The two teams will play once more on April 28 in DeLand.
For the second consecutive game sophomore left fielder Frank Florio (Long Valley, NJ) led the team in hits. It was also the second game in a row that he clocked an opposite field home run, his third dinger of the season. Florio's 3-for-5 night also included two singles, two RBI and two runs scored.
Offensively it was a game that featured home runs; two for the visitors and three for the home team. The big blast of the game was the first career grand slam, and fourth home run of the season by Stetson freshman Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.). After two outs in the fifth inning the Hatters loaded the bases on a Florio single and walks to Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Kyle Maulbetsch (St. Augustine, Fla.). Jones then stepped in, worked the count full, and forced the pitcher to challenge him to avoid walking in a run. Jones met the challenge with a blast off the scoreboard in left center field and gave Stetson an 8-2 lead. Jones finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored.
Earlier in the third inning Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) belted an opposite-field solo home run to right center. It was his Atlantic Sun Conference leading 13th round tripper of the season. It was also his 46th RBI of 2009, another league-leading statistic. Cruz was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Also delivering multiple hits for the Hatters was Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) who was 2-for-5 with two RBI.
Blake Marsocci (Okeechobee, Fla.) started on the mound for Stetson pitching three innings, allowing one run, and striking out four batters. Freshman Ryan Sweat (DeBary, Fla.) tossed the next five innings giving up just one run and striking out six. Fellow freshman Tucker Donahue (Coral Springs, Fla.) finished off the Wildcats with an inning of work. It was his second appearance of the season and the second time he did not yield a run.
Stetson will travel to Gainesville Wednesday to take on the Gators in a 6:30 p.m. makeup game. Stetson fans can hear all the games on Hatter Vision found at www.gohatters.com. Tickets for all Stetson home games can be purchased on line at gohatters.com or at the gate on game day.
