DeLand, Fla. - Stetson (7-8) swept a doubleheader from Old Dominion (9-8) Saturday at Melching Field and ran its current winning streak to four games. The Hatters took advantage of solid pitching and timely hitting to win the first game 6-4, and then a 10-3 victory in the night cap.
Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Florida) took the mound in game one for his first collegiate start as a pitcher. He threw five complete innings allowing six hits and four runs, while striking out two batters. After starting the season as Stetson's shortstop and closer, he is now being developed into a weekend starter for the upcoming Atlantic Sun Conference season. Senior David Burns (Seminole, Fla.) picked up for deGrom and finished the game with four scoreless innings of outstanding work. He earned the win and improved to 2-0 on the season after giving up just one hit and no walks, and striking out three.
"Jacob went out in his first start and gave us a quality start; He got his feet on the ground. And Burnsy came in and did a great job. He held them right there and didn't give up a run", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn.
Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.) was Stetson's offensive hero of the game. He was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning. After fellow freshman Kurt Schluter (Jupiter, Fla.) was hit by a pitch, Lashley jumped on the first pitch he saw and delivered a bomb over the left field fence that landed on Alabama Avenue and rolled all the way to the fence surrounding Spec Martin Stadium. Schluter, who nearly pitched a no-hitter on Wednesday, also belted a home run, his second of the season. He finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
After spotting the Monarchs a 4-0 lead in the first three innings, the Hatters stormed back for six runs. Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.), Kevin Mierzwinski (Orlando, Fla.), Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) and Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) each added a double to the Hatter attack. Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.), Crittenden, and Mierzwinski joined Lashley with two hits in the game.
In game two starting pitcher Lindsey Caughel (Orlando, Fla.) was impressive with eight complete innings of solid work on the mound. He allowed one run in the 4th and two in the 5th and then held Old Dominion scoreless for the remainder of his outing. He struck out eight batters and did not surrender a walk. Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) pitched the 9th inning, struck out one, and allowed no runs.
"We pitched well in both games", said Dunn. "Caughel had an outstanding outing. He needed that. We all needed that out of him. It was a great pick-me-up for all of us."
Four Hatters delivered multiple hits led by Crews who was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. He set the Stetson scoring into motion with a three-run dinger in the bottom of the 2nd inning, his fourth of the season. Leadoff hitter Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, Schluter finished 2-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI, and Lashley was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Although in unusual fashion, Lashley picked up his second home run of the day when he drove a line drive to left field that shot past the diving left fielder and rolled all the way to the fence. By the time the Monarch was able to recover and get the ball into the infield, Lashley had crossed the plate with an inside the park homer.
It was a good day for the Hatters who were able to get the bats going, while enjoying some quality performances from their pitching staff. Stetson generated 13 hits in each game for a total of 26 while allowing 16.
"It was a good day. I am very happy and proud of the club", said Dunn. "We got a few breaks today but we'll take it. We had two good wins against a quality ball club."
Stetson and Old Dominion will complete the three-game series Sunday at 12:00 p.m. on Melching Field. Hatters fans can catch the games on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. The voice of Stetson baseball Bill Topping will call the action.
