The Stetson Hatters jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over visiting Kenesaw State Friday afternoon at Melching Field, scoring three runs in the first inning.

The Hatters were trying to make those three runs stand up, and still held to that 3-0 lead as the game moved to the eighth inning before lightning chased the teams from the field. Play was suspended at 1:57 p.m. With a severe thunderstorm warning active for Volusia County until deep in the evening, it was decided to scrub play for the day.

The Hatters and Owls returned to the field on Saturday afternoon at noon. Stetson finished off KSU, tacking on an insurance run in the eighth, to take a 4-0 victory.

Stetson improved to 18-19 on the year with the win, 7-4 in ASUN play, while dropping the Owls to 17-23 overall and 4-7 in league play.

Stetson jumped on KSU starter Ryan Kennedy (3-3) for three runs in the first on four consecutive one-out singles. Kyle Ball got things started and was followed by Jorge Arenas, Baylen Sparks and Eric Foggo. 

That support was enough for Hatters freshman left-hander Daniel Paret (3-1), who worked 6.2 shutout innings against the Owls, allowing five hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Danny Garcia came on to get the final out of the seventh inning to strand a pair of runners. Garcia came back on Saturday to pitch the final two frames, earning his first collegiate save.

Stetson threatened to add to the lead in the home half of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but reliever Jake McLinskey got out of the inning with a ground ball. 

The Hatters added an insurance run in the eighth when Benito Varela delivered a double to score Andrew MacNeil, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning..

Jacob Koos has three hits in the game to lead Stetson while Kyle Ball added a pair. 

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.