Stetson baseball closed out its fall practice prior to the Thanksgiving break with the Fall Americans taking the series over the Levitt-Taters three games to one despite dropping the opening game of the series.
 
The Fall Americans closed out the series with convincing victories – 10-2 and 9-2 – in the final two games.
 
The Levitt-Taters were their own worst enemies in the third game of the series, committing five defensive errors, resulting in five unearned runs. Senior Tyler Keller earned the win for the Fall Americans with four strong innings of work. The left-hander, who normally works in relief, started and allowed just one run with a walk and four strikeouts.
 
Freshman right-hander Ryan Start took the loss in the game for the Levitt-Taters, allowing five runs. Sophomore Mike Spooner had a hit and a walk in the loss.
 
Offensively for the Fall Americans, Kirk Sidwell had a pair of hits, scored a run and drove in another. Senior Colton Lightner also had a pair of hits, including a double, with a run and an RBI. Sophomore Joey Gonzalez also had two hits and reached base three times.
 
Sophomore Jack Perkins set the tone in the series clincher for the Fall Americans, pitching four scoreless innings on the mound with four strikeouts. Sophomore Joey Gonzalez and freshman Mitchell Senger worked the final three innings to close out the win.
 
Sidwell again stood out at the plate, picking up two more hits, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Lightner also had two more hits, both doubles, and drive in three. Joey Gonzalez continued to impress offensively by reaching base three times and scoring three runs.
 
Freshman Matt Watters took the loss for the Levitt-Taters, allowing four runs over 4.2 innings of work. Freshman John D'Amelio had a rough outing on the mound, allowing five runs in one inning of work.
 
Spooner again led the Taters were led offensively, with two more hits and a run. Freshman Jorge Arenas added a two-run double.

The week of Thanksgiving, the Hatters held their annual fall blood drive, which netted a record 29 units of blood.
 
The Hatters will open the 2017 season on Friday, February 17, against Southern Illinois at Melching Field.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.