Stetson used nine runs over the course of two innings to run away and hide from Bethune-Cookman with a 12-0 advantage on Saturday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. With the loss, the Wildcats were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament - Tallahassee (Fla.) Regional.
A big third inning full of B-CU (33-27) mental mistakes and Stetson power enabled the Hatters to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
Centerfielder Shane Jordan picked up a two-run scoring double to plate shortstop Kevin Johnson and Josh Clendenin for the 2-0 Hatters (42-20) lead. That was precluded by a wild pitch, as well as a bunt that turned into a two-bagger with fielding mental mistakes from the first and second baseman on the Wildcats defense.
The Hatters added another run in the inning when Justin Bass singled to center to bring across Jordan.
A huge inning in the sixth inning by the Hatters, aided by a leadoff homerun from first baseman Jeremy Cruz, and a two-run single from Bass, allowed SU to go ahead 9-0 after four innings of baseball.
On the other hand, B-CU was just unable to solve Stetson starter Corey Kluber, who looked as impressive as advertised on the hill. Though playing four times on the year, neither starter B-CU's Dustin Blackwell nor SU's Kluber had seen action against each other on the year until today.
The Wildcats' catcher Drew Clark, one of just two (2) players to collect a multi-hit game, was impressed with the way Kluber was throwing, but still loved the way it felt to play a local rival on such a big stage.
The Wildcats were able to scatter just seven hits on the day, four of which came from senior Angel Mercado and Clark.
The Hatters added three runs in the ninth to secure the final margin of 12-0, marking just the second time in the last nine meetings between the two Volusia County foes that has ended in a shutout--both of which were won by Stetson.
Kluber went seven innings on the hill today for SU, spreading out five hits in a no-run affair for the Hatters. He struck-out seven batters and walked just two others.
As for Blackwell of B-CU, he ended his stellar two-year career with the Wildcats program with the loss, allowing nine runs (four earned) on nine hits in 3.1 innings of work on the mound. He struck-out two Hatters as well.
SU was paced at the plate by Jordan with a 3-for-6 afternoon, including three runs and two RBI. Behind him were Casey Frawley, Bass, Clendenin and Johnson with two hits each, respectively.
As for the Wildcats, it was Mercado and Clark with two hits each at the dish.
Stetson will now await the loser of tonight's Florida State vs. Mississippi State game tomorrow at 1 p.m. back at Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State.