CONWAY, Ark. - A leadoff home run from Lorenzo Meola was all the Stetson Hatters would need to secure a road sweep at Central Arkansas on Sunday, as the Hatters' bullpen worked 7.0 scoreless innings to lead Stetson to a 3-0 win.

Stetson (24-17, 12-6 ASUN) immediately took the lead thanks to Meola, who homered to left field to give the Hatters a 1-0 lead after one pitch had been thrown. The home run was his second of the season.

Central Arkansas (16-23, 7-11 ASUN) loaded the  bases with nobody out in the bottom of the third, but reliever Cole Stallings was able to get a pair of strikeouts and a pop-up on the infield to escape the jam and preserve the lead.

The Hatters punished the Bears for the missed opportunity in the fourth, when first baseman Landon Moran worked a walk before moving all the way to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Catcher Christian Pregent then ripped a single up the middle to drive in Moran for the 2-0 lead.

After Stallings stranded a pair in the bottom of the frame, Stetson again took advantage, using a pair of UCA errors, a hit-by-pitch, and a bases loaded walk from Moran to make the advantage 3-0.

That would be it for the scoring as the Stetson bullpen worked around baserunners all afternoon. The Bears put 14 runners on base, including nine in scoring position, but the Hatters were able to strand them all.

Stallings (2-1) picked up the win after allowing one hit and a walk with two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. Jonathan Gonzalez relieved him and continued his strong weekend, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings and surrendering a pair of walks and a hit with one strikeout. Anthony DeFabbia (3) earned the save, throwing the final 3.0 innings and holding the Bears to two hits and a walk while striking out three.

Stetson managed just four hits on the day, but also picked up three walks and a hit-by-pitch. Moran went 0-for-2, but drew two walks while driving in a run and scoring another, and designated hitter Daniel Labrador went 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Hatters return home to Florida for their next 12 games, seven of which will take place at the MAC. Stetson will open that streak in Tallahassee, taking on Florida State at 5:00 PM on Tuesday night, before playing host to ASUN opponent Liberty this weekend. The Hatters and Flames will face off at 6:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night, and 1:00 PM on 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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