Friday, May 16, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 16, 2008) - A seven run ninth for Stetson was too much for the Bucs as they dropped the second game of a three-game series with the Hatters on a overcast Friday afternoon at Cardinal Park, 18-12.

 

ETSU (18-37, 9-23) was out hit by the Hatters 21-15 and surrendered nine walks in the loss. Stetson reliever Robbie Elsemiller came into the game in the fifth and limited the Bucs to two runs on four hits earning the win.

 

Stetson took an early lead in the first inning on a two run Justin Bass single through the left side and a RBI single to left by Brian Pruitt to make the score 3-0 Hatters.

 

The Hatters scored three more runs in the top of the second on a Bass RBI single through the left side and an Aaron Crittenden single up the middle scoring two to give Stetson a 6-0 lead.

 

The Bucs got on the board in the bottom of the second as Ben Allen (Kingsport, Tenn.) singled up the middle scoring Nick Belcher (Abingdon, Va.) from second to cut the lead to 6-1. Later in the inning ETSU would add another run on a grounder to first with the bases loaded by Troy Mendez (Roswell, Ga.) scoring Allen to cut the Stetson lead to 6-2.

 

In the bottom of the third, Belcher singled up the middle driving in Paul Hoilman (Johnson City, Tenn.) to cut the Stetson lead to 6-3. Later in the inning Derek Trent (Kingsport, Tenn.) tripled to center driving in Belcher and Danny Petro (Atlanta, Ga.) to make the score 6-5.  The Bucs would tie the game up on an Allen grounder to short scoring Trent to cap a four run fourth for ETSU.

 

The Hatters retook the lead in the top of the fourth as they scored one run on a Buccaneer error to take a 7-6 lead.

 

Petro gave the Bucs their first lead of the game as he blasted a two-run home run over the right field fence to give ETSU a 8-7 lead.

 

The Bucs scored three more in the bottom of the fifth as senior Anthony Russell (Waldorf, Md.) drove a ball over the fence in right center for a three-run home run to give the Bucs a 11-7.

 

ETSU added another run in the bottom of the sixth as Allen singled to right scoring Petro to increase the Bucs lead to 12-7.

 

The Hatters cut into the ETSU lead in the top of the eighth as Pruitt hit a grand slam to right center making the score 12-11.

 

Stetson loaded the bases in the top of the ninth as Crittenden walked to bring in the tying run. In the next at bat, Robert Crews walked in the go ahead run to give Stetson a 13-12 lead. The Hatters scored five more runs on four hits in the inning to make the final 18-12.

 

Petro and Belcher each had three hits as Petro was 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, while Belcher was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Russell hit his 19^th home run of the season as he was 2-for-5 with three RBI.

 

The Bucs are back in action tomorrow as they will take on Stetson in the final game of the season. It will also be senior day as the Bucs will send off seven seniors.

 

Stetson 18, ETSU 12 (May 16, 2008 at Johnson City, Tenn.)
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SU…...........330  100  047   - 18  21  1   (24-31, 14-18 A-Sun)

ETSU..........024  231  000  -  12  15  3   (18-37, 9-23 A-Sun)

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Pitchers: ETSU - Dustin Plumlee; Josh Means (2); Bo Burton (5); Drew Story (7); Darren Caldwell (8); Chas Byrne (8); Matt McGahey (9)
SU - Andy Mauldin; Travis Stortz (4); Robbie Elsemiller (5)

Win - Robbie Elsemiller (3-4) Loss - Chas Byrne (0-2)

HR - ETSU - Danny Petro (5); Anthony Russell (19)

SU - Brian Pruitt (3)