DeLand, Fla. - Sophomores Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.) and Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) led Stetson (11-13) to a 10-5 win over Northwestern (5-16) Friday night on Melching Field. The Hatters have a 2-0 advantage in the four-game series.
"Jones stepped up tonight and had a couple of big hits for us", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn. "Lately Crews has been walking around looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. We talked to him a little bit about his body language before the game. He came through tonight with some big hits. It was good to see him have a great game. Hopefully that will be a jump start for him."
Jones was 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. Crews finished 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three RBI. Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.), Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.), Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) and Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) each contributed a pair of hits to Stetson's total of 14 in the game. With his single in the 3rd inning Simpson extended his hitting streak to 19 games.
Stetson starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) tossed seven complete innings. Although he surrendered five runs (four earned) on 12 hits, he struck out three batters and did not allow a walk. In 23 2/3 innings this season he has walked just one batter. Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) took the mound for the second consecutive night against the Wildcats. He threw the final two innings giving up no runs on two hits, striking out four and earning his first save of the season. He had three last year as a freshman.
"deGrom grinded it out tonight and gave us a real good quality start. Although he gave up some hits he didn't walk anyone in front of them. That is the way you minimize damage. Jacob can throw strikes in his sleep, he has great command", said Dunn.
"And then Powell stepped up and gave us another great game and picked up the save", he added.
The Hatters jumped out to a 4-0 lead with two in the 3rd and two in the 4th. After Northwestern went ahead with a four-run 5th and another in the 6th, Stetson took over and put the Wildcats away with six runs in its final three innings at the plate.
"I liked our approach tonight, I thought we played very well to take a 4-0 lead", said Dunn "They played well to come back and then it was nice to see us fight right back."
The Hatters will return to Melching Field tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. for game three of the four-game series with Northwestern. Stetson 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.
