Ft. Myers, Fla. – Stetson's
Nick Durgin had things going the way he wanted through the first five innings on Friday night at Swanson Stadium.
The redshirt freshman had shutout FGCU while his Stetson teammates provided him with a three-run lead.
That all changed in the sixth inning as the Eagles plated four runs, thanks in large part to three Stetson walks in the inning. FGCU kept the Hatters from responding over the final three frames to take the series opener 4-3.
Senior right-hander Mason Studstill (6-2) worked six strong innings on the mound for the Eagles (22-12), who now have a two-game lead over Stetson (20-14) in the ASUN South Division. In fact, with its victory over Jacksonville on Friday, North Florida is now tied with Stetson in the ASUN standings with a 6-4 record.
Studstill allowed just the three Stetson runs, two earned, on four hits over eight innings of work with eight strikeouts to earn his first career victory against the Hatters.
The big blow in the FGCU sixth came off the bat of sophomore Alejandro Figueredo. After an infield hit and two walks loaded the bases for the Eagles, Figueredo hit an 0-1 pitch into the left-center gap, scoring three runs. A hit batter and two more walks forced in the go-ahead run for FGCU.
After FCGU took the lead in the game, Stetson managed just two base runners over the final three innings.
The Hatters and Eagles will return to action on Saturday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
Game Facts
- Win – Mason Studstill (6-2)
- Loss – Nick Durgin (5-2)
- Save – Joey Mugavero (1)
- Time – 2:49
Scoring Summary
- T2 – Brandon Hylton led off with a hustle double to center and then scored on a two-out single by Christian Pregent to five the Hatters an early 1-0 lead.
- T4 – Hernen Sardinas led off the inning with a single to right, moved up when Hylton drew a four-pitch walk and then scored on a fielder's choice when FGCU Cameron Krzeminski was unable to come up with the throw from shortstop Richie Garcia.
- T5 – Andrew MacNeil reached on a walk and then scored all the way from first on a double by Sardinas for a 3-0 Stetson lead.
- B6 – FGCU loaded the bases on an infield hit and two walks and freshman Alejandro Figueredo drove all three home with a double to left-center, tying the game at 3-3. After Durgin walked the next FGCU hitter, the Hatters called on left-hander Nick Chiseri from the pen. Chiseri hit the first batter he faced on the first pitch he threw and then walked in the go-ahead run.
Hatters Notes
- Sardinas delivered his 14th double of the season, and 66th of his career, in the fifth inning.
- Kyle Ball was hitless in four at bats during the game, snapping his hitting streak at 13 games and his on-base streak at 25 games.
- The five hits for the Hatters tied for the fewest in a game for Stetson this year. It was the fourth times Stetson has been held to five hits this year.
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.
