WICHITA, Kan. -- Stetson scored three unearned runs and worked out of two bases-loaded situations in the final two innings, outlasting Wichita State 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
The Shockers (8-7) put the tying and go-ahead runs aboard in the eighth and ninth, but were limited to just a single run despite recording six hits against Stetson closer Nick Durgin (2-1). With WSU trailing 3-0 In the eighth, pinch-hit singles from Alex Birge and Jaden Gustafson preceded an infield hit from Brock Rodden that loaded the bases with one out. But Durgin induced a foul out and a grounder to short to escape the jam with no damage. The ninth began with a single from Payton Tolle, but two quick outs left Wichita State down to their final out. Jack Little rifled a single to keep the Shockers hopes alive, and Kyte McDonald followed with a run-scoring knock up the middle that got WSU on the board at 3-1. Gustafson walked to load the bases, but Durgin struck out Rodden swinging to salvage the series finale for the Hatters.
Stetson (10-7) took advantage of two critical defensive miscues to score their three runs. In the fifth, a dropped fly ball following a leadoff single put two runners aboard for Nick Labrador, who lined a two-run single that broke the scoreless deadlock. A two-base throwing error on a grounder from Yohann Dessureault allowed the Hatters to add an insurance run in the sixth, as Lorenzo Meola singled through a drawn-in infield to stretch the lead to 3-0.
Shocker starter Grant Adler (3-1) suffered a tough-luck loss despite not allowing an earned run. He struck out seven over 5.1 innings, allowing eight hits while walking one. The Wichita State bullpen was lights out, as Jace Miner, Matt Wilkinson and Michael Mulhollon combined for 3.2 innings of hitless, scoreless relief.
Tolle and Little each notched a pair of hits to lead the Shockers, while Gustafson's single in the eighth was his first collegiate hit.
Durgin picked up the win with five innings of work out of the Stetson bullpen, striking out three. Starter Daniel Paret fanned five over four scoreless frames to open the game.
Wichita State is back in action on Tuesday at home against Oklahoma. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 PM.