DeLand, Fla. - The Hatters ran down the Bulls and ended their 7-game winning streak Tuesday night on Melching Field. Junior Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) delivered the game-winning RBI and led Stetson (13-14) to the 6-5 win over USF (11-14). Emory was 3-for-5 with an RBI, senior Aaron Crittenden was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI and sophomore Nick Rickles finished the game 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
It was the second consecutive game since taking over the leadoff spot for injured Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) that Emory has gone 3-for-5 at the plate. The big hit came with two outs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kurt Schluter (Jupiter, Fla.). James Rasmussen (Tallahassee, Fla.) moved Crews to third by hitting the ball to the right side and then Emory stepped up to the plate. With the count 2-and-0 he ripped an opposite-field double deep down the left field line to knock in Crews. It was the first extra-base hit of the season for the career .340 hitter. Emory has now raised his batting average 63 points from .179 to .242 in the past two games.
"Sean stepped up and got a big hit for us tonight and Robbie Powell continues to do a great job out of the bullpen", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn.
After Emory gave the Hatters the 6-5 lead, sophomore hurler Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) took the mound and earned his second save of the season. He faced four batters, allowed one hit and struck out one Bull. Fellow junior Jake Boyd (West Palm Beach, Fla.) preceded Powell on the hill throwing two complete innings, allowing one unearned run, striking out one, and picking up the win to raise his season mark to 1-0.
Coming into the game South Florida had won seven consecutive games including a series sweep of Big East rival Notre Dame in Tampa. Stetson is now 77-74 all-time against the Bulls including a 4-3 win on the road in the only meeting between the two teams last season
"This was a big win for us against a ball club that has been playing very well", said Dunn. "We have to take this momentum with us into a big weekend series with Campbell."
The Hatters return to Melching Field Thursday and Friday for an Easter Weekend series with A-Sun rival Campbell. Thursday's game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and then on Friday the teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. 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.
