DeLand, Fla. ?Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) blasted an 0-1 fastball off the scoreboard for a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough for the Hatters. Belmont (22-17, 13-8) hit a pair of home runs in the top of the ninth to break a 7-7 tie and secure a 10-9 win over Stetson (17-22, 8-10).

Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) was 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored on his birthday. Rickles had a season-high four hits in five at bats, Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.) was 2-for-4, and Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) hit a home run for the third consecutive game.

Freshman Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) came on to retire the final batter in the eighth inning and then surrendered the two home runs in the ninth to register the loss and drop to 2-4 on the season. Jimmie Stanley (Lexington, Ky.) picked up the win and improved to 3-3.

Stetson got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the first inning. Sean Emory led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a walk to Jeff Simpson. The with one out Jeremy Cruz ripped a double to left center and drove in Emory from second base and Simpson all the way from first.

The Hatters then fell behind 3-2 before scoring one run in the fourth and three in the fifth on the Crittenden home run to take a 6-3 lead.

Belmont tied the score with three in the top of the seventh and then Stetson continued the back-and-forth battle with one in the bottom half and took a one-run lead. The Bruins tied the game one more time in the eighth before the ninth inning dramatics were played out.

Stetson will play UCF in Orlando Tuesday at 6:30 pm and then travel to North Carolina for a weekend conference series with Campbell. The Hatters and Camels will play a Friday doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m., and a single game Saturday 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.