The Stetson Hatters took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning, but couldn't hang on against the hot-hitting Kennesaw State Owls Saturday at Melching Field, falling in the second game of the weekend series 3-2.

Senior Nick Chiseri (1-1) came out of the bullpen for Stetson (16-14, 4-7) and took the loss. He walked the only batter he faced in the eighth inning, and that turned into the winning run. Sophomore starter Nick Durgin was sharp for the Hatters, starting the ballgame and throwing seven innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on seven hits, with one walk and four strikeouts.

The Hatters were held to just three hits in the game by the duo of John Bezdicek and Smith Pinson (3-1). Bezdicek started and worked five innings, allowing a pair of runs on three hits. Pinson went the final four innings without allowing a hit. In fact, Stetson managed just one base-runner over those last four innings, that coming in the ninth when Juan Correa reached on a wild pitch while striking out.

The Owls (20-9, 9-2) got on the board in the first inning, scoring a run on two hits, thanks largely to a throwing error by Durgin when he tried to double off a runner at first after catching an infield pop up.

The Hatters got on the board against Bezdicek in the fifth inning after Trea Harmon drew a leadoff walk. Pinch runner Connor Kehl advances to second on a throwing error by Bezdicek on a failed pickoff attempt and then moved up to third on a hit by Kyle Ball. With no one out in the inning, Ball got himself in a rundown, allowing Kehl to score the tying run. Sophomore Christian Pregent followed with a solo home run, his second of the year, to put Stetson on top 2-1.

Kennesaw State tied the game in the seventh when Josh Hatcher delivered a two-out double to score Nick Colina, who had walked. It was one of thee hits of the game for Hatcher, who is the leading hitter in the ASUN this year.

The Owls scored the winning run in the eighth inning when Hudson Mimbs singled with the bases loaded off Austin Amaral. The sophomore bounced back, getting a ground out and a double play to get out of the inning with no further damage.

The Hatters will attempt to salvage the final game of the weekend series on Sunday when sophomore Cole Stallings (5-1) goes to the mound. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

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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