Sunday, May 06, 2007

DELAND, Fla. (May 6, 2007) - Stetson scored five seventh inning runs, breaking open a one-run game, and two Hatter pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout as Stetson completed a three-game sweep of ETSU, 6-0 Sunday afternoon at Melching Field.

The Bucs (26-22, 11-10 A-Sun) out-hit Stetson eight to seven, but could never come up with the timely hit, stranding nine runners for the game.  Stetson (36-12, 18-3 A-Sun) also stranded nine runners on the day, but came up with clutch hits when necessary in the seventh inning.

Trailing 1-0 entering the seventh inning, four Buc pitchers issued four free passes, and the Hatters pounded out three of their seven hits en route to the game-breaking frame.  After nine-hole hitter Kevin Johnson was hit by a pitch, center fielder Shane Jordan doubled into right field with one out, putting runners at second and third.  An intentional walk loaded the bases, and third baseman Braedyn Pruitt brought home the inning's first two runs with an RBI single through the right side.

The intentional walk strategy had worked twice previously for the Bucs in the game, as starter Caleb Glafenhein (Knoxville, Tenn.) induced inning-ending double plays in the fourth and fifth innings to hold the Hatters at bay.

Stetson starter Jake Hitchcock (5-1) pitched six innings, scattering four hits before a two and a half hour rain delay forced him from the game.  Reliever Justin Dechert pitched the final three innings for his third save of the season.  Glafenhein was also forced out by the rain delay, and dropped his second decision of the weekend, falling to 13-5.

The Bucs return to action Tuesday evening, traveling to Cookeville, Tenn. for a midweek contest with Tennessee Tech.  First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. eastern time.