The Stetson Hatters were their own worst enemies on Tuesday night at Melching Field in a 13-4 loss to visiting UCF.
 
The Hatters (12-16) allowed UCF (18-11) to turn a 2-0 game early, into an 11-0 rout over two innings despite allowing just three hits. Four Stetson pitchers over the course of those two innings walked six, hit two more, had a pair of wild pitches and also committed an error.
 
All UCF needed during that stretch was a two-run double by Matthew Mika in the fourth inning and a two-run double by Dallas Beaver in the fifth. The only other hit was a bunt single.
 
Stetson did have a couple of bright spots on the mound late in the game. Sophomore Zemp Schwab allowed just one run on two hits with no walks and struck out four over 2.2 innings of work. Freshman Michael Bacica, the final eligible member of the Stetson roster to get into a game this year, made his debut by striking out the side in the eighth inning. He gave up three hits and a run in the ninth inning, but finished the game with back-to-back strikeouts.
 
Hatters starter Bret Neilan (1-3) took the loss, allowing four runs, five earned, over 3.1 innings on six hits and three walks. UCF junior Jaylin Whitehead (3-1), the second of eight Knights pitchers in the game, earned his second win of the year over Stetson. He worked two perfect innings in relief of starter Jordan Spicer.
 
Stetson had chances early in the night to make a game of things. The Hatters loaded the bases in the first inning, but hit into an inning ending double play. They loaded the bags again in the second, but were unable to get a key hit.
 
After UCF led 12-0, the Hatters loaded the bases in the sixth, this time scoring twice on a pair of bases loaded walks. Stetson scored two more runs in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly that was dropped and a ground out.
 
The Hatters had just five hits in the game. UCF finished the game with 12 hits with two each from Ray Alejo, Beaver and Ben McCabe – who hit a solo homer to lead off the sixth inning.
 
Stetson will be back in ASUN play starting Friday when the Hatters open a three-game series against NJIT. Friday and Saturday's games are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. starts. Sunday's series finale will start at 12:30 p.m. – 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to allow for NJIT's travel plans.
 
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.