The Stetson Hatters knew coming into Saturday game against Liberty in the ASUN Tournament at Melching Field that they had some margin for error, with a guaranteed second game against Liberty on Sunday.
 
What the Hatters didn't want to see was an error and a bad inning on the mound cost them a chance to take home the ASUN title on Saturday. But, an error in the third inning and a four-run Liberty sixth inning thanks to five walks was enough to left the Flames to a 6-3 victory, forcing that final showdown for the league crown and berth in the NCAA Tournament.
 
The championship game is set for a 1 p.m. start on Sunday. All fans, with the exception of those that bought tournament passes, will be able to purchase tickets at the stadium beginning at noon.
 
Liberty got on the board first, scoring two runs in the third inning off Stetson starter Daniel Paret (5-4). Ben Highfill opened the inning with a hit and then moved up to third when Jaylen Guy's sacrifice bunt was thrown away, putting two runners in scoring position. Gary Betts singled up the middle to plate Highfill with the first run of the day.
 
A walk to ASUN player of the year Jonathan Embry loaded the bases for the Flames and Cam Locklear following with a sacrifice fly, with all three runners moving up on the play. Paret was able to limit the damage by getting a strikeout and a pop up to strand a pair of runners in scoring position.
 
Paret gave the Hatters five solid innings on the mound with just two days of rest from his tournament opening start against FGCU. He allowing just the two runs, one earned, with two walks and two strikeouts.
 
Stetson got on the board in the fifth inning against the second pitcher of the day for Liberty, Logan Barker (2-0). Mark Townsend led off the inning with a double to right center. Nick Cardieri followed with a sacrifice bunt, reaching on an error by Barker, and then Kyle Ball delivered a sacrifice fly to score the run.
 
The wheels came off for the Hatters in the sixth inning after Paret was lifted. Freshman Bret Neilan retired the first batter he faced on a fly ball before surrendered a single, a walk, another single and another walk to force home a run.
 
Stetson went to the pen again, bringing in the hero of the win over Lipscomb, Michael Bacica. He got a fly out that plated a run before walking three straight, pushing two more runs across.
 
Another freshman, Gavin Sullivan, came on to get Stetson out of the inning with a strikeout, stranding three Liberty runners. Sullivan pitched the rest of the game for the Hatters, turning in his longest outing of the season with 3.1 innings of work. He kept the Flames at bay, allowing just three hits down the stretch.
 
Stetson found some offensive life against Barker in the eighth inning when Jacob Koos reached on a one-out single, his first hit of the tournament, and scored on a two-run opposite field homer by Eric Foggo.
 
Cole Garrett came on to pitch the ninth inning for Liberty, retiring the side in order to earn the save, his first of the year.
 
Brandon Rohrer led the Flames, who defeated Jacksonville 5-2 earlier in the day to advance to the tournament's championship round, with three hits. Embry added a pair of hits for Liberty. Noah Dickerson led Stetson with a pair of hits in the game.
 
The stage is now set for the final showdown with a pitching matchup that is expected to include Liberty ace Andrew McInvale (9-2, 3.46) against Stetson sophomore Robbie Peto (1-9, 4.23).
 
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.