The Stetson Hatters had plenty of chances to take the final game of their series against Maryland on Sunday afternoon at Melching Field, but were unable to come up with the key hits needed to get the job done in an 8-4 loss.
 
The Hatters fall to 6-9 on the year with the loss while Maryland improved to 9-5.
 
After getting no-hit for the first four innings of the game, spotting the Terrapins a 5-0 lead going to the home half of the fifth, the Hatters left nine runners on base over last five frames, six of those in scoring position.
 
The biggest missed opportunity came in the seventh inning, after closing the Maryland lead to 6-3. The Hatters loaded the bases with one out on three consecutive walks. The Terrapins brought in Nick Turnbull to face Jonathan Meola and, despite giving up a run on a passed ball, got a big strikeout.
 
A walk reloaded the bases and forced another pitching change, but the Hatters left the bags loaded when Andrew Vail got Eric Foggo on a ground ball to second, ending the threat.
 
Maryland put the game virtually out of reach in the eighth when Caleb Walls reached on a bad-hop single with two out and Chris Alleyne followed with his second home run of the game, giving the Terps an 8-4 lead. Alleyne, who is a switch hitter, homered off Mitchell Senger from the right side in the fourth inning before his eighth-inning shot off Mike Materetsky in the eighth from the left side.
 
Stetson threated to score in both the eighth and ninth innings, but was unable to get the hits needed.
 
Maryland starter Trevor LaBonte (1-0) earned the victory, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on three hits. Stetson starter Austin Bogart (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings.
 
Baylen Sparks and Kyle Ball led Stetson with two hits each. The Hatters managed just seven in the game. Jorge Arenas had an RBI double in the fifth and Meola had a two-run double in the sixth.
 
Besides Alleyne, who had a double to go with his two home runs and drove in four, the Terrapins got two hits each from Taylor Wright and Justin Vought, one of which was a home run.
 
Stetson will be on the road Tuesday night for the first game of a home-and-home with in-state foe FIU. Sophomore Chris Gonzalez (1-0, 2.00) is expected to start the game for the Hatters. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. against the Panthers, who are off to a 9-6 start to the season and have won four straight.
 
The Hatters will be back at Melching Field on Friday to open a three-game series against a Yale (3-7) team that was swept by Florida this weekend and is scheduled to play a pair of games at UCF this week.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.