Nashville, Tenn. - Stetson (20-16, 8-2 Atlantic Sun) picked up its 20th victory of the season with a 6-3 win over Belmont ( 17-18, 5-8 Atlantic Sun) Friday evening in the series opener. It is the 8th consecutive conference win for the Hatters who are now in first place in the A-Sun after FGCU's loss to Lipscomb.
Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.), Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.), Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.), Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.), and Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) each had two hits for the Hatters who totaled 11 in the game. Lashley's two-RBI double in the 5th inning and Crews' game-winning RBI triple in the 6th were the key hits for Stetson.
Starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) tossed a season-high 7 2/3 innings, picked up the win and improved to 3-1 on the season. He allowed three runs on 10 hits, struck out three and did not surrender a walk. In 42 1/3 innings pitched this season deGrom has walked just seven batters, while striking out 29.
After spotting the Bruins a run in the bottom of the second inning Stetson went ahead with three runs in the top of the 5th. Crews led off and reached on an error by the first baseman. Simpson took advantage of his speed and turned a sacrifice bunt into a base hit. Emory was next to the plate and he moved both runners over with his sacrifice bunt. After Mark Jones (Palm Coast, Fla.) walked to load the bases Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Crews and then Lashley belted a double to left center plating Jones and Simpson.
Belmont answered by scoring two in the bottom of the 5th to tie the score and then Stetson counter punched with two more in the top of the 6th inning. Theisen led off with a double down the left field line. He stole third base and then scored on a triple deep to right center by Crews. The next batter, Simpson ripped a sacrifice fly to center and the Hatters had a 5-3 lead.
Crews, Simpson and Emory opened the 9th with three consecutive singles. Emory's single through the right side scored Crews from third base and gave the visitors a three run lead heading into the bottom half of the inning.
With a save situation in the works the Hatters went to closer Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) who allowed one hit and walked one Bruin, yet did not allow a run and earned his 4th save of the season.
Stetson and Belmont will return to Shelby Park Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. Stetson fans can listen to the games on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. A-Sun TV will be broadcasting all three games and can be accessed at www.atlanticsun.org.
