Stetson senior catcher Austin Hale set the tone for the Hatters' 7-0 victory over Richmond even before his three-run double in the first inning provided all the offense his team would need.
 
It was in the top of the first, after the visiting Spiders (7-6) got a leadoff single and a walk against Stetson starter Jack Perkins (2-1) that Hale crushed the spirit of in the visiting dugout at Melching Field. Richmond tried to pull off a double steal, but Hale gunned down the lead runner at third on the play. After Perkins get the second out on strikes, Hale back-picked the runner at second, catching him off the bag to end the inning.
 
The Spiders managed a couple of other scoring chances later in the game, but they had to play from behind the entire night.
 
Hale made sure of that in the bottom of the first, ripping a bases loaded double into the left field corner, scoring three runs against Richmond starter Aaron Winkler (2-1).
 
The shutout for Stetson (12-1) is the fifth of the young season, which leads all of college baseball. It was the first time this year the Spiders have been blanked in a game.
 
Stetson had plenty of scoring opportunities throughout the game, but left 11 runners stranded on base. It was not until the eighth inning that the Hatters broke through, scoring four insurance runs for closer Brooks Wilson, who retired all four batters he faced to earn his national best seventh save of the year.
 
The big hits in the eighth for Stetson off Richmond reliever Dalton Light included an RBI single from Austin Bogart, a two-run double by Andrew MacNeil and a run scoring single by Hale.
 
On the mound, Perkins worked six innings for his second win of the year. His biggest jam, after the one in the first, came in the sixth inning. An error opened the door before Kyle Adams delivered a one-out double. A walk loaded the bases for the Spiders before Perkins got a strikeout of former Hatter Sage Bruhl and then a ground out to end the threat.
 
Senior Ben Onyshko retired five straight hitters in his second relief outing of the weekend before turning the ball over to Wilson following a two-out walk in the eight.
 
The Hatters piled up double figures in the hits column for the third straight game. McNeil, Hale, Jorge Arenas and Nico Torino had two hits each.
 
The only negative in the game for Stetson came in the third inning when junior Baylen Sparks was hit in the head with a pitch. The ball hit his helmet, which caused a cut on his ear that needed stitches to close. Sparks, who already had a hit and scored on Hale's double, will likely be back in the Hatters' lineup on Sunday.
 
Fans planning to attend Sunday's game should note that the start time has been moved up two hours, to 11 a.m., due to thunderstorms that are expected to be in the area during the afternoon. Also, don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight as Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday.
 
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.