For the second consecutive Friday night, the Stetson defense struggled, but this time the offense wasn't able to make up the difference, leading to a series-opening 6-3 loss to visiting Hartford at Melching Field.
 
The Hatters (4-1) committed five errors in the game, leading to four unearned runs for the Hawks (1-0).
 
Hartford junior left-hander Nicholas Dombkowski (1-0), who was on the mound for Hartford against Stetson in the 2018 NCAA Regional, held the Hatters to just one run on two hits over the first six innings. He retired the Hatters in order four times and got a double-play to erase a leadoff walk in the fifth.
 
The only inning in which Stetson threatened was him was the third when the Hatters loaded the bases with no one out. Kyle Ball singled to drive home Brandon Hylton, who had Stetson's first hit to start the inning, but then Dombkowski the next three Hatters to get out of the inning.
 
Stetson starter Chris Gonzalez (0-1) battled on the mound in his second start of the year, surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits over his six innings of work. Hartford junior first baseman Tyler Coppo was the biggest problem for Gonzalez and the Hatters. He had three hits in the game, drove in a run and scored three times.
 
Coppo doubled and scored the first run of the game in the second, scoring on a double by Tim Dickson. He then singled home Drew DeMartino, who had doubled, in the third for a 2-0 Hawks lead.
 
The rest of the Hartford runs in the game came as a direct result of Stetson errors.
 
Coppo reached on an error in the sixth and then scored when Dickson reached on an error. It was Coppo who got things going for Hartford again in the eighth inning off junior reliever Nick Long. He singled and then moved up the third on a fielders' choice throwing error by Long on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Coppo scored when Dickson reached on another error. Zachary Ardito then drove home two with a single for a 6-1 Hartford lead.
 
Stetson got two runs back in the home half of the eighth inning thanks to a Hartford error. Ball singled to start things before Andrew MacNeil reached on the error and then both runners moved up on a passed ball. Instead of getting the clutch hit they needed, however, the Hatters settled for an RBI ground out and a sacrifice fly to plate their two runs.
 
Hartford closer Will Nowak closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning for his first save.
 
Stetson will try to get back into the win column on Saturday night in the second game of the three-game weekend series. The first 250 fans into the game will receive the first in a set of 15 baseball cards featuring the 2020 Hatters. The first card features senior shortstop Jorge Arenas.
 
The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start.
 
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.