Daytona Beach, Fla. - The Stetson extended its season-opening winning streak to four games Wednesday night with a dramatic 4-3 extra innings victory over Bethune-Cookman (3-2) at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.
With runners at first and second, one out and the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning B-CU's Emmanuel Castro (Caguas, P.R.) singled down the line in left field and it looked like the game was over. Not to Jeff Simpson (Valrico, Fla.) who charged towards the line, scooped up the ball and fired a perfect strike to Nick Rickles (Loxahatchee, Fla.) at home plate and cut off the winning run on a very close play.
The Wildcats still had a chance to end the game in the 9th with two outs and runners on first and second. Nick Johnson (Lakeville, Minn.) ripped a line drive towards the hole on the left side of the infield. Stetson shortstop Mark Jones (Bunnell, Fla.) dove to his right and stretched out for a spectacular inning-ending catch.
"We made a real big play throwing a guy out at the plate to prolong the game. Simpson throwing him out was a game saver", said Stetson head coach Pete Dunn.
After a scoreless 10th inning Stetson was poised to put the pressure back on Bethune-Cookman in the 11th. Robert Crews (Port Charlotte, Fla.) led off and reached on an error by the shortstop. He advanced to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt by Simpson and then on to 3rd following a deep fly to right field by Spencer Theisen (Longwood, Fla.). Jones stepped up next and delivered an infield single into the gap between shortstop and 3rd base to give Stetson the final lead of the game.
Robbie Powell (Punta Gorda, Fla.) pitched the final 2.2 innings allowing no runs and just one hit to pick up his first victory of the season. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.
Freshman Jimmy O'Neill (Bradenton, Fla.) started the game and pitched well. In his first collegiate outing he tossed 3.2 innings giving up five hits and one run while striking out four Wildcats. Austin Perez (Loxahatchee, Fla.) pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowed one run and struck out one in his third appearance of the season. Tucker Donahue (Coral Springs, Fla.) dealt with the bulk of the work throwing four innings and allowing one run on three hits, while striking out three.
"It was a well pitched game for both teams I am just so happy with the win," said Dunn. "It's a big win for us, its early in the season but to beat a good club like that on the road in that type of ball game is a big win."
Simpson, Jones, Ben Carhart (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Trey Blackman (Atlamonte Springs, Fla.) each contributed a pair of hits to the Hatter attack. Rickles also had two hits in the game, one of which was a home run blast over the left field wall leading off the 2nd inning. It was the first home run of the season for the Hatters.
Next up the Hatters will host the University of Maine in a four-game series over four days beginning on Saturday, February 26 at 2:00 p.m. Stetson fans can see the game on Hatter Vision at GoHatters.com with Bill Topping calling the action. Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased online at GoHatters.com or by calling 738-HATS
