WICHITA, Kan. - For the third time this weekend, the Stetson Hatters found themselves with an early lead against the Wichita Shockers at Eck Stadium, but this time the they were able to make that lead stick, taking advantage of a pair of stupendous pitching performances to salvage the series with a 3-1 win.

Redshirt senior Daniel Paret gave Stetson (10-7) a great chance in his first start of the season, holding the Shockers (8-7) to just three hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.0 innings of scoreless baseball. Redshirt junior Nick Durgin (2-1) took over in the fifth inning and went the distance, allowing a single run on seven hits and a walk. He struck out three WSU batters and picked up the win.

Stetson would threaten early, putting runners at the corners in the first and loading the bases in the third, but the Hatters were unable to take advantage of either chance.

Wichita State  returned fire in the fourth, getting a two-out walk and a double to put a pair in scoring position, but Paret picked up his fifth strikeout of the day to eliminate the threat.

Stetson finally broke through in the fifth inning, when designated hitter David Bermudez got things going with a single and moved to third when first baseman Landon Moran reached on an error. With both Hatter baserunners in scoring position, catcher Daniel Labrador delivered, ripping a single to left field to drive in both and give Stetson a 2-0 lead.

The Hatters added on to the lead in the next inning, when left fielder Yohann Desserault led off by reaching second on an error before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from third baseman Drew Wyers. Shortstop Lorenzo Meola would then drive in the insurance run, roping a single to center field to score Desserault and push the Stetson lead to 3-0.
 
That advantage would hold until the bottom of the ninth, when the Shockers would use three singles to cut the advantage to 3-1. A walk would put the winning run on first base, but Durgin would cap off a superb relief performance, striking out the Shocker batter with three straight pitches to end the threat and the game.

Stetson returns home for a pair of games at the MAC this week, playing host to Fairfield at 6:00 PM on Tuesday night and 1:00 PM on Wednesday afternoon, before opening up ASUN play at home against Kennesaw State this weekend. Game times are set for 6:30 PM on Friday night and Saturday night and 1:00 PM Sunday afternoon.

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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