Box Score Fort Myers, Fla. ? Stetson dropped its regular season finale 12-2 to Florida Gulf Coast (36-18, 23-7) Saturday afternoon in Fort Myers. The team had nine hits in the game with Casey Frawley (New Haven, Ct.) being the lone Hatter to register more than one.
Lindsey Caughel (Orlando, Fla.) started for Stetson and surrendered six runs, five earned in four and two thirds innings of work. He gave up eight hits and four walks while striking out four. His record is now 4-3 this season. Pete Woodworth (St. Petersburg, Fla.) took the win and improved to 5-2.
Jeremy Cruz (Miami, Fla.) and Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) each delivered a hit and an RBI for the visitors. For Cruz it was his A-Sun leading 80th RBI of the season keeping him in the Top-5 in the nation among NCAA Division I players. Crittenden knocked in his 66th run which places him second in the league.
Down 6-0, Stetson scored its two runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) reached base on throwing error by the shortstop. Simpson's speed made the play close enough that the call could have gone either way. He moved on to second on the errant throw.
After another out Cruz stepped up and ripped a double deep down the right field line plating Simpson from second. Crittenden was next and he shot an 0-1 pitch into right field scoring Cruz.
Stetson finished the regular season 27-29 overall and 16-14 in A-Sun play. If the Hatters are to end up with a winning record this season it will take a successful run through the upcoming conference tournament. Stetson has just three losing seasons in Head Coach Pete Dunn's 30-year career.
Next up for the Hatters is the A-Sun Tournament this Wednesday thru Saturday in DeLand. Stetson, the #3 seed will open with #4 Belmont Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Stetson fans can see all the tournament games through A-Sun on Hatter Vision found at www.gohatters.com. The voice of Hatters baseball Bill Topping will call the action. The opening game against Belmont will also be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night on Bright House Sports Network.
