Newark, NJ – Stetson junior right-hander
Jack Perkins and NJIT junior right-hander Sean Lubreski put on a pitching clinic Saturday afternoon at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
After both worked six shutout innings, it was Lubreski who blinked first, allowing a pair of runs in the seventh, which was just enough for Stetson to take a 2-1 victory, clinching the ASUN series with the win.
The Hatters improved to 30-10 overall on the year, and 6-2 in league play. It is the first time since the 2012 season that Stetson has won as many as 30 games. It is the 34
th season in program history with at least 30 victories. For Hatters coach
Steve Trimper, it is the seventh 30-win season in his 20 seasons as a head coach.
NJIT fell to 15-16 overall, 3-8 in ASUN play.
Stetson got to Lubreski (2-3) in the seventh after
Andrew MacNeil and
Austin Bogart opened the frame with consecutive singles. The Hatters loaded the bases when
Austin Hale dropped a sacrifice bunt down in front of the plate, and Lubreski, who got to it first, decided to go for the lead runner at third. MacNeil slid in ahead of the throw.
Mike Spooner then drew a bases loaded walk to force home the first run and bring an end to the day for Lubreski in more ways than one. After he was lifted for a reliever, the junior had some pointed words for the plate umpire, who responded by ejecting Lubreski from the game.
The Hatters scored a second run when
Jacob Koos beat out a double-play attempt on a grounder to second off Tommy Derer. After Koos stole second and
Jorge Arenas drew a walk to reload the bases,
Brooks Wilson hit a soft-liner back to Derer, who then threw to third for a double play.
Perkins (6-2) went back out for the home half of the seventh inning but, after getting the leadoff hitter on strikes to start the frame, he allowed a bloop single to right-center and then a double into the left field corner by Jesse Uttendorfer to plate a run for the Highlanders.
Stetson turned to
Brooks Wilson to get out of the inning with the tying run at second base. After a getting a fly ball to center, NJIT got an infield hit to move Uttendorfer to third, but Wilson got Michael Anastasia on a fly ball to end the inning.
Wilson retired the final six NJIT hitters to finish up the win, earning his 14
th save of the year.
In his 6 1/3 innings of work, Perkins allowed the one run on 10 NJIT hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out nine. Combined, the two teams left 21 runners on base in the game.
Bogart led the Hatters with three hits while Koos and MacNeil had two each. Julio Marcano led NJIT with three hits while Matthew Cocciadiferro and Paul Franzoni had two hits each.
The Hatters will try to notch their second ASUN series sweep of the year on Sunday when they send sophomore left-hander
Mitchell Senger (5-1, 1.92) to the mound. The three-time ASUN pitcher of the week is coming off a complete-game shutout against Lipscomb last weekend.
NJIT is expected to counter with sophomore right-hander Tyler Stafflinger (3-3, 2.21).
The final game of the series is set for a noon start.
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.
