Friday, May 04, 2007

DELAND, Fla. (May 4, 2007) - Stetson exploded for eight runs during a monster third inning, breaking open a close game and the Atlantic Sun Conference leading Hatters cruised to a 15-4 victory Friday night at Melching Field.

After posting single runs in each of the first two innings, Stetson (34-12, 16-3) took advantage of several ETSU pitching miscues putting together the big inning that put the game out of reach early.  Freshman starter Drew Story (Jefferson City, Tenn.) loaded the bases without allowing a hit on a hit batsman and a pair of walks, and designated hitter Aaron Crittenden singled home the first run of the inning.  Another hit batter forced home another run, and first baseman Jeremy Cruz singled up the middle, chasing Story and bringing home another run.  Catcher Josh Clendenin singled off reliever Todd Caldwell (Johnson City, Tenn.), and shortstop Kevin Johnson doubled to the gap in right center field, clearing the bases.  A wild pitch a batter later brought Johnson home and capped the scoring in the nightmarish inning.

The Hatters tacked on five more runs in the fifth and sixth innings before junior Matt McGahey (Jonesborough, Tenn.) threw two perfect innings in the seventh and eighth frames.

The Bucs (26-20, 11-8) scored four runs in the eighth and ninth innings, led by senior John Weddle's (Knoxville, Tenn.) two hits and three RBI, providing the final margin.

Stetson starter Corey Kluber pitched six shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven and improving to 9-1 on the season.  Andy Mauldin pitched the final three innings of the victory for his first save of the season.  Story allowed eight runs on just four hits, falling to 2-4.

The teams continue the series Saturday afternoon with a 5 p.m. first pitch at Melching Field.