Stetson freshman Brooks Wilson knew what he wanted to do in his first Friday night start for the Hatters, but he didn't envision a complete game performance in an 8-1 victory over visiting Harvard at Melching Field.
Wilson, who opened the year working out of the Stetson bullpen, made the most of his opportunity. The Lakeland native scattered seven hits and struck out five while needing 115 pitches to record his NCAA best fifth victory of the year.
It was the first complete game performance for the Hatters since April 6 of last year when Taylor Cockrell went the distance in a 6-2 victory at Northern Kentucky.
“I got to the ball park a little early today because I was excited about getting the start tonight,” Wilson said. “I had all of my pitches working and I was able to go through the lineup the first time without ever dropping down on them.”
Wilson (5-1), who will sneak in an occasional side-armed pitch, only really got in trouble once in the game, allowing a single run on three hits in the fourth inning. Harvard (5-4) did not get another runner past first until the ninth.
While he was having his way with the Crimson, the Stetson hitters were giving him plenty of support. The Hatters scored three times in the first inning off Harvard starter Sean Poppen (1-2), added single runs in the third and fifth and then plated three more in the sixth.
“Brooks was a big part of the story tonight, but I thought we swung the bats really well,” Hatters coach Pete Dunn said. “The pitching was pretty good tonight, pretty special. That freshman will go out there and compete. As good as he is now, he is only going to get better.
“He has a good fast ball and can get the breaking ball over, and he can drop down. I think his biggest asset right now is his demeanor and his competitiveness.”
Dunn said there was never really any thought about taking Wilson out of the game late.
“We talked after the seventh inning, and his pitch count was still in good shape. We decided then to let him go unless he got into trouble because we have three more games this weekend. In the ninth inning he was only just over 100 pitches.”
The Hatters (9-9) turned the tables on what has been their biggest issue this year by scoring early against the Crimson. The three-run first was highlighted by five hits, all singles. Patrick Mazeika drove in the first of his three runs in the game to get things started. Garrett Russini and Kyle Pitts also had RBI hits in the inning.
“We got three runs in the first inning and our guys did a good job all night,” Dunn said.
Wilson said that getting those early runs allowed him to feel more relaxed on the mound.
“Any time you get an early lead it is easier to go back out there and pitch,” Wilson said. “They guys did a great job of getting runs on the board and made some good plays behind me.”
Mazeika was the big offensive star, getting a pair of hits, driving home three runs and scoring twice. Russini and Tyler Bocock also had two hits each in the game and Kevin Fagan drove in a pair of runs.
Drew Reid and Connor Quinn had two hits each in the game to lead Harvard.
“That is a good club,” Dunn said. “We know what they did up at Mercer – they have beaten some good clubs. This is just one game of four. We can sit back tonight and be pleased that we did everything we needed to do to win this game, but that is just one. There are three more ahead of us and it is going to be a long day tomorrow.”
The Hatters and Crimson will play a double-header on Saturday, with the first game now scheduled for a 3 p.m. start. It will be Military Appreciation Day at the park, with all active and retired service members receiving free admission while their family members will receive a discounted ticket.
Members of the Wounded Warrior Project will be on hand to throw out the first pitch for the game.
Stetson will send a pair of left-handers, junior Adam Schaly and freshman Bon Onyshko, to the mound in the two games on Saturday.
