DeLand, Fla. - Sunday afternoon on Melching Field Stetson (23-19, 11-4 Atlantic Sun) exploded for 14 runs on 18 hits and earned a 14-5 win over Lipscomb (14-28, 5-10 Atlantic Sun). The victory completed the third A-Sun series sweep of the season for the Hatters. The last time Stetson had three conference series sweeps was 2007 when it had three in a row, four overall, an A-Sun championship and a trip to the NCAA Regional.
"This was a big win for the sweep", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn. "We keep preaching on weekends that you can't sweep unless you get that first one on Friday. Yesterday before the game we said lets focus on this one and take them one at a time. Last night after the game we said we need to get greedy and come out aggressive on Sunday."
Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.) and Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) nearly matched each other offensively to lead the Hatters. Both players were 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Lashley added a double and Simpson a stolen base.
Three other Hatters delivered multiple hits led by Kurt Schluter (Jupiter, Fla.) who finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) was 2-for-4 and knocked in two runs, while Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) finished 2-for-5 with a double. Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) smacked his 3rd triple of the season, good for two RBI and also stole his 21st base of 2010.
"I am pleased with the way we executed at times", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn. "We made quality contact with runners in scoring position and minimized our strike outs."
Stetson starter Kyle Maulbetsch (Jacksonville, Fla.) pitched five complete scoreless innings. He struck out two batters and earned the win evening his record at 4-4. Schluter was next throwing 1 1/3 innings and allowing two runs. David Burns (Seminole, Fla.) kept the Bisons off the board for 2/3 of an inning before giving way to Tucker Donahue (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Jake Boyd (West Palm Beach, Fla.) who tossed the final two innings.
Over the weekend the Hatters pitching staff allowed just nine runs, eight of which were earned. Twenty-six hits were surrendered and 20 Bisons were struck out compared to just seven walks.
"That's a pretty good offensive team that our guys shut down this weekend", said Dunn.
Stetson is now 11-4 in conference play and remains in second place behind Florida Gulf Coast who is 17-4 after its win over Belmont on Sunday.
The Hatters will remain at home to host Bethune-Cookman in a non-conference tilt Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Stetson fans can watch the game on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. The voice of Stetson baseball Bill Topping will call the action.
