DeLand, Fla. - Freshmen James Rasmussen (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.) each tallied three hits yet it wasn't enough as Stetson (3-6) dropped the opening game of the 2010 Bright House Invitational 14-6 to Kansas State (7-2). It was the first collegiate start for Rasmussen who was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored and the second time this season that Lashley collected three hits in a game. He also finished 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
The Hatters' pitching staff had trouble with the Wildcats, particularly in the 6th inning when they surrendered nine runs on seven hits. Stetson starter Lindsey Caughel (Orlando, Fla.) allowed five runs over five complete innings of work. He struck out three, walked one and took the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season. Stetson sent seven pitchers to the mound, four in the difficult 6th. Tucker Donahue (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Jake Boyd (West Palm Beach, Fla.) were the only home team hurlers that did not allow a run.
Other Hatters with multiple hits included Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) who was 2-for-5 with a run scored, Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) who was 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI, and Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) who was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Kansas State's Ryan Daniel tossed five innings giving up two runs and striking out three batters. He picked up the win and is now 3-0 on the season.
Stetson will face Harvard tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. The two earlier games in the Invitational will feature Notre Dame vs. Harvard at 11:00 a.m. and Kansas State vs. Notre Dame at 4:00 p.m. Hatters fans can catch the Stetson game on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. The voice of Stetson baseball Bill Topping will call the action.
