DeLand, Fla. - With three strike outs on 10 pitches, all fastballs in the top of the 9th inning junior Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) closed the door on the Hatters' first win of the season, 8-7 over Siena Sunday afternoon on Melching Field. Stetson improved to 1-1 on the season while Siena fell to 1-1.
It was the first career save for Hatters shortstop who finished with four strike outs in 1 2/3 innings of work.
"That is pretty much how we scripted it for this season, deGrom coming in and closing for us", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn. "Jacob has a good slider, which he used in the 8th, but he stuck with the fastball in the 9th. When they are not catching up to it, stick with what is working."
Siena scored first posting three runs in the top of the 3rd inning off Stetson starter Davis Burns (Seminole, Fla.). The Hatters answered with a single run in the 4th, and then lit up the scoreboard with six in the 5th inning. Freshman Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.) led off with a double to right field and then junior Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) drew a walk. Both players jogged home after sophomore Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) blasted his first Division I home run over the right field wall. He had six round trippers as a freshman at Division II Florida Southern College.
The 5th inning rally reignited when deGrom singled, catcher Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) reached on a fielder's choice and Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.) walked to load the bases. Designated hitter Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) then came through with a clutch 2-RBI single up the middle to plate two more runs. The final run of the inning came on an RBI ground out by sophomore Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.).
After Siena answered with a pair in the 6th, Stetson scored its final run in the bottom half of the inning. Theisen singled up the middle and then the speedy centerfielder stole second. Rickles delivered a hard single up the middle and Theisen scored easily.
The Saints added one run in the 7th and another in the 8th before deGrom entered the game and shut them down.
Theisen, Rickles, and Crittenden each finished with two hits for the Hatters with Theisen and Crittenden also delivering three RBI. Stetson starter David Burns tossed five complete innings allowing five runs and striking out four batters. He picked up the win and is 1-0 on the season. Sophomore Robbie Powell threw 1 2/3 innings in relief giving up one run, while freshman Kurt Schluter allowed one unearned run over 2/3 innings in his first collegiate appearance on the mound.
"First win of the year and I am pleased", said Dunn. "We did a lot of good things. We had some lapses but we battled back well.
Stetson and Siena will take the field tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. in the third game of the four-game series. Hatters fans can catch the action on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. Bill Topping will call the action with color provided by Dave Marsh.
