Visiting UMBC hit the ground running at Melching Field Friday afternoon like the Retrievers' hair was on fire.
 
Stetson looked on in disbelief as UMBC jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, thanks in large part to an eight-run second inning. The Hatters didn't just shrug their shoulders and go through the motions for the rest of the game, they battled back. Stetson got to within 9-8 in the eighth inning, and had two runners poised in scoring position, but a strikeout ended the threat.
 
Stetson went down in order in the ninth, falling to 6-2 on the year. The win was the first for the Retrievers, who improved to 1-5.
 
The early fireworks for UMBC came against Stetson junior left-hander Chris Gonzalez (0-2). The Retrievers opened the frame with consecutive doubles, taking a 1-0 lead, and then, after a sacrifice bunt, had seven straight hitter reach base before freshman Kyle Yeoward finally put an end to the inning.
 
UMBC added another run in the third off sophomore Gavin Sullivan, who pitched three solid innings in his 2020 season debut. Freshman Danny Garcia came on to work the final four frames, getting into trouble just once, in the eighth when UMBC loaded the bases. He got out of that jam with a strikeout.
 
After spotting the Retrievers a 9-0 lead, Stetson started chipping away in the fifth inning, scoring four times and chasing Retrievers starter Reid Celata one out shy of qualifying for the win. Mark Townsend and Jake Murphy opening the inning with consecutive one-out doubles. Jorge Arenas and Andrew MacNeil followed with singles before Arenas scored on a sacrifice fly. Nick Diponzio chased Celata with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 9-4.
 
Stetson scored another run in the sixth off reliever Blake James (1-0) without getting a hit. Brandon Hylton, who doubled in the second inning to extend his season-opening hit streak to eight games, drew a walk, moved up twice on wild pitches and then scored on a ground out.
 
The Hatters added two more runs in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by DiPonzio and an RBI double by Eric Foggo of Keegan Leffler.
 
Townsend got things started again for Stetson in the eighth when he delivered a one-out triple. Murphy followed with a bloop hit behind second back to cut the deficit to one run. MacNeil gave the Hatters life with a two out single, moving Murphy to third, before stealing second himself. UMBC reliever Cooper Adams got out of the jam with a called third strike against Ball to end the inning.
 
Stetson finished the game with more his (13) than UMBC (12). MacNeil, DiPonzio, Townsend, Murphy and Arenas had two hits each for the Hatters. UMBC was led by Blaze O'Saben with four hits.
 
The two teams will be back at Melching Field Saturday afternoon for another 4:30 p.m. start. Redshirt junior Robbie Peto (2-0, 0.00) will be back on the mound for the Hatters. Junior Joe Nestel (0-1, 3.00) is expected to get the start for UMBC.
 
It will be baseball card day at the park as the first 250 fans can collect the second card in a series of 15 featuring the 2020 Hatters. Junior Eric Foggo will be the featured card on Saturday.
 
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.