LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Stetson pitchers Jonathan Gonzalez and Rasesh Pandya flirted with disaster almost every inning on a chilly afternoon at Liberty's Worthington Field, but the duo managed to get themselves out of trouble over-and-over as the Hatters took a 5-3 victory over the No. 15 Flames.
Gonzalez (3-3), a sophomore, got the win for the Hatters (13-9, 1-4), while graduate transfer Pandya closed the door over the last 2.1 innings for his second save. The southpaw Gonzalez went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs, all of them earned, on seven hits. He surrendered four walks and struck out five while stranding eight Liberty runners on base. Pandya didn't allow a hit, but he gave up a walk and hit a batter in the ninth to put the potential tying runs on base before closing the game with a strikeout.
Graduate transfer Cameron Hill led the way offensively for the Hatters, going 2-for-4 at the plate. His two-run homer in the second inning gave Stetson a 4-0 lead and then his two-out single in the ninth provided a crucial insurance run. Freshman Daniel Labrador also had two hits in the game for Stetson.
Liberty starter Trey Gibson (3-1) took the loss after allowing four Stetson runs in just two innings of work. Freshman Garrett Horn kept the Hatters at bay during the middle of the game, striking out 10 while allowing just two hits over five innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hatters got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning against Gibson. After walking Hill to open the game, Andrew Estrella singled Hill to third. When Estrella stole second, Liberty catcher Three Hillyer's throw went into center, allowing Hill to score and Estrella to take third. A passed ball let Estrella score for a 2-0 lead.
Hill's line drive homer to right in the second scored Labrador, who had singled, and gave the Hatters a 4-0 lead.
The Flames threatened against Gonzalez in each of the first two innings, but wound up leaving five runners on base in the two frames. Liberty finally broke through, scoring three times in the third on four hits.
The start of the game was delayed by 45 minutes due to passing snow showers in the area.
The Hatter and Flames will square off in the rubber match of the series on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. Game time temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
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