It has been almost four years since the Stetson baseball team was last on the field against the Florida Gators. That changes tonight at Florida Ballpark in Gainesville when the Hatters square off against No. 5 Florida in the first of four scheduled contests this spring.
 
Most everyone remembers the last time the two programs were on the field together. The Hatters led the Gators 10-1 at McKethan Stadium when thunderstorms rolled through, causing a lengthy delay. The Hatters waited in the visiting dugout for the rain to stop but, when it did, they were given the news that the game would not be continued.
 
Only two members of the Stetson team remain from that 2017 squad, graduate captains Jorge Arenas and Gainesville native Andrew MacNeil. Both had an impact on that game with MacNeil delivering a double and scoring in the second and Arenas delivering a two-run double later in the inning. Arenas also doubled and scored in the fifth and MacNeil was at the plate, facing a full count with two outs, when play was halted.
 
The game will also be a homecoming for Stetson reliever Nick Long, who was a member of that 2017 Florida squad, which went on to capture the NCAA Championship at the College World Series in Omaha.
 
But that 2017 game never officially happened, so the Hatters (10-3) and Gators (10-3), square off tonight with Florida having won the last five official games between the programs. The last wins in the series, which Florida leads 80-52, for Stetson came during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
 
Both teams will send freshmen left-handers to the mound for the game tonight, which will be broadcast on the SEC Network+ with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
Stetson's Anthony DeFabbia (2-0, 1.93) threw a shutout against Florida A&M in his first college start and worked two shutout innings of relief last Friday against South Florida. He has 15 strikeouts and has allowed five walks in his 14 innings of work.
 
Florida's Timmy Manning (0-0, 0.00) has worked in relief in three games for the Gators, allowing just two hits in 4.2 innings of work with no walks and three strikeouts. He last threw an inning on Sunday, striking out three batters and allowing a hit against FAMU.
 
For Stetson, this is the first of four consecutive games against teams from the Southeastern Conference. The Hatters will travel on from Gainesville to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to open a three-game series against the Crimson Tide on Friday. The Gators are opening a stretch of four straight against ASUN opponents. Florida will host Jacksonville over the weekend for three games at the new Florida Ballpark.

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.