For Immediate Release
March 4, 2000
Contact: Cris Belvin, Stetson University

DeLAND - Lee Bagley's two-out, ninth inning RBI single lifted Stetson to its second come-from-behind victory in the last three games, as the Hatters rallied past Eastern Kentucky for an 11-10 win, Saturday at Melching Field at Conrad Park.

The win is Stetson's fifth straight and completes a three game sweep of the Colonels. The Hatters improve to 13-3 and are off to their best start since 1984. The loss drops EKU to 2-7.

The game was in stark contrast to the first two games of the series, which featured outstanding pitching and solid defense. The Colonels and Hatters used nine pitchers and collected 21 runs on 33 hits Saturday, and left 20 runners on base.

EKU got on the board early with three runs in the first, highlighted by Jason Sharp's two-run double. Stetson came back with two runs in the second and took the lead by scoring three in the third to make it 5-4. The Hatters added another run in the fifth on Rusty Beale's RBI single, making it a 6-4 game.

The Colonels appeared to break open the game in the sixth, scoring five runs off Hatter relief pitching and taking a 9-6 lead. But the Colonel pen couldn't hold the lead.

Vinnie Rinaldi blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh, his first of the season, slicing EKU's lead to 9-7. After the Colonels added a run in the top of the eighth for a 10-7 margin, the Hatters tied the game with three runs in the eighth. Frank corr led off the inning with his sixth home run of the season. The Hatters manufactured a run with a Geoff McCallum sacrifice fly, and Jason Shipley's RBI double scored Rinaldi with the tying run.

Chris Rogers (2-0) relieved Bryan Welch with one on and none out in the ninth and retired all three batters he faced.

In the ninth, Stetson's first two batters were retired before Corr doubled deep to center off EKU reliever Mike Martini (0-2). Brooks Stephens walked and Bagley drove Martini's 3-1 pitch deep into the leftfield corner, easily scoring Corr for the win.

Corr enjoyed another fine day at the plate, going 4-6 with a homer and tying a Stetson record with three doubles. McCallum drove in three runs on two hits and Beale was 3-4 with two RBI. Sharp paced the Colonel attack with three hits and three RBI.

The Hatters continue their 15-game home stand when they host St. Joseph's, 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 8 at Melching Field at Conrad Park. The Colonels stay on the road for their 10^th and 11^th straight games away from Turkey Hughes Field and visit the University of Tennessee, Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. and Belmont University, Thursday at 4:00 p.m.