Johnson City, Tenn. - Stetson (24-20, 11-5 Atlantic Sun) dropped the opening game of its weekend series 12-7 to host East Tennessee State (24-18, 12-7 Atlantic Sun) Friday night in Johnson City. The Buccaneers had 16 hits and committed one error, while the Hatters finished with 14 hits and two miscues in the field. Five home runs were hit in the game, unfortunately just one by Stetson.
The big hit for the Hatters was a 5th inning home run by Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.) that cleared the scoreboard in left center that is 350 ft from home plate and 25 feet high. Lashley was 2-for-5 in the game with a double and two RBI to go along with his 8th dinger of 2010.
Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.), Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.), Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) and Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) each contributed a pair of hits to the Hatters cause.
Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) started for the Hatters and gave up eight runs, six of which were earned over 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out four and walked two Buccaneers. David Burns (Seminole, Fla.) was next on the mound. He tossed 2/3 of an inning and surrendered a solo home run.
Stetson opened the scoring with a run in the top of the 1st inning. Emory led off with a walk and moved to second on a single through the left side by Simpson. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Theisen was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and then a walk to Jones plated Emory.
Stetson scored an unearned run on an error in the 2nd before ETSU took the lead with two in the bottom of the 2nd inning and another in the 3rd.
In the top of the 7th Stetson tied the game for the last time at 7-7 before ETSU returned fire with one in the bottom half and four more to close the door in the 8th inning.
The Hatters will continue the weekend conference series at East Tennessee State Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. Stetson fans can listen to the games on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. The voice of Stetson baseball Bill Topping will call the action.
