Jacksonville, Fla. - After a pair of tough losses Saturday Stetson (26-27, 13-11) rebounded to dominate the University of North Florida (29-22, 14-9) and take game three of its Atlantic Sun Conference series 10-3 Sunday at Harmon Stadium. It was senior day for the Ospreys and the final home game in the 23-year career of their head coach Dusty Rhodes.
It was a must win for the Hatters who are now 13-11 and in 5th place in the conference standings with three games to play. The top six teams will gather in Nashville May 26-29 for the A-Sun tournament hosted by Lipscomb University. Every Hatter in the starting lineup had at least one hit in the game. As a team Stetson tallied 16 hits, all singles, and played error-free baseball.
"We had to get this one today. I told the guys before the game this was a must win for us", Stetson head coach Pete Dunn said. "I have to give the kids a lot of credit. After loading the bases in the 1st inning and not scoring, they stayed with it, tied the game, then took the lead and never looked back."
Pitcher David Burns (Seminole, Fla.) put together a terrific performance in his 5th start and 26th appearance of the season. He threw seven complete innings allowing just three runs on eight hits and struck out two batters. He battled all day and allowed his team the opportunity to reignite its offense. The victory raises his season mark to 4-2. Closer Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) tossed the final two innings, gave up one hit, and struck out one while holding UNF scoreless.
"We couldn't have asked any more from Burnsy today. The senior stepped up and gave a great effort", said Dunn.
Catcher Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Jacob deGrom (DeLeon Springs, Fla.) each delivered three hits on the afternoon. Rickles was 3-for-4 with a sacrifice fly, a run scored and an RBI. deGrom finished 3-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt, an RBI and a run scored. deGrom was all over the field for the Hatters this weekend. He pitched, played right field and shortstop yesterday, and started in right field today before moving to shortstop late in the game.
UNF struck first with two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning before Stetson answered with a pair of its own in the top of the 3rd. With one out Sean Emory (Miami, Fla.) was hit by a pitch and then moved up one on a single by Kurt Schluter (Jupiter, Fla.). Aaron Crittenden (Fort Myers, Fla.) followed with a single to right field scoring Emory. Schluter advanced to third on the Crittenden single and then scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Rickles.
In the 4th Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) scored a solo run after reaching on a fielders' choice, moving to third on a Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) single to center, and then trotting home on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.). In the 5th Stetson put together a two-out rally to boost its lead by one more run. Crittenden walked, moved up on a single by Rickles, and scored on a single down the left field line by Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.).
Stetson took a 4-2 lead into the top of the 8th and then delivered the big blow with four runs to put the game out of reach. UNF answered with one run in the bottom half, but Stetson added two more in the 9th to seal the win.
"It was tough. We felt pretty down after yesterday. Today was a big win for us", added Dunn.
Stetson will now return home to take on Jacksonville in the final series of the season. The Hatters and Dolphins will play one game on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and then a doubleheader Friday beginning at 3:00 p.m. Stetson fans can see the games on Hatter Vision by going to www.gohatters.com. The voice of Stetson baseball Bill Topping will call the action.
