DeLand, Fla. - Senior Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) had a perfect night going 4-for-4 with a 3-RBI double and a stolen base and led Stetson (1-0) to a 6-3 win over the University of Georgia (0-1) in the season opener for both teams. Junior catcher Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) was also impressive at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance that included a pair of RBI and a run scored.
Georgia struck first with a run in the top of the 3rd inning on an RBI single by Zach Cone (Stone Mountain, Ga.). Stetson answered quickly with a single run of its own in the bottom half. Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) singled to left field and then hustled from first to third on a bunt base hit by Simpson. Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.) was next and grounded into a double play scoring Simpson and tying the score at one.
The next inning Stetson added another run when Ryan Lashley (Lake Worth, Fla.) singled up the middle with one out and then scored on an RBI double to left field by Rickles.
The Bulldogs evened the score with a leadoff double by Jonathan Hester (Savannah, Ga.) off reliever Tucker Donahue (Coral Springs, Fla.). A groundout to advance the runner and a wild pitch scored the tying run.
The Hatters delighted the crowd and broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the 6th. Junior transfer Ben Carhart (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), last year's Florida J.C. Player of the Year led off with a single up the middle. Lashley followed with a single through the right side moving Carhart to 3rd base. Trey Blackman (Altamonte Springs, Fla.), another J.C. transfer was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded with no outs. Rickles singled through the left side of the infield scoring Carhart. The next two Hatters made outs and then Simpson stepped in and delivered his timely double down the left field line and Stetson was up 6-2.
Georgia added a late solo home run by Hester but it was not enough and Stetson, along with 2,279 fans celebrated after an impressive win over its SEC opponent. Georgia swept a three-game series with Stetson last season in Athens.
Caughel started on the mound for the Hatters and tossed five complete innings giving up seven hits and one run while striking out six batters. Donahue threw two thirds of an inning and then gave way to freshman Austin Perez (Loxahatchee, Fla.) who finished the 6th inning and was in the right place at the right time to earn his first collegiate victory. Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) picked up his first save of the season after throwing the final three innings. He allowed one run and struck out four.
"This was a nice game for the fans", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn. "It was a well pitched game. Caughel gave us a great start and our bullpen did an incredible job. Our offense gave us timely hitting and we got a big bases loaded double out of Simpson. He is a clutch player for us."
Stetson and Georgia will face off two more times the weekend. They return to Melching Field Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and again on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased online at GoHatters.com or by calling 738-HATS.
