Tuscaloosa, Ala. – For the second straight day, Stetson got an outstanding performance on the mound from its starting pitcher against Alabama at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
 
Unfortunately, the Hatters were unable to score enough run against Alabama pitchers and the bullpen surrendered a run in the 12^th inning in a 4-3 loss to the Crimson Tide.
 
Stetson falls to 11-5 with the loss while Alabama improved to 13-3.
 
Stetson redshirt junior Chris Gonzalez pitched into the 10^th inning, blanking Alabama over his final eight innings, allowing just four hits over that stretch. Gonzalez finished with just three strikeouts and no walks.
 
Alabama starter Dylan Smith was just as good, working eight strong innings with 10 strikeouts.
 
Neither starter was around for the finish. Chase Lee worked four no-hit innings for Alabama with four strikeouts. The only trouble he got in came in the 11^th when he hit Andrew MacNeil and Nick DiPonzio, but he got out of the frame with a pop out and a strikeout.
 
Freshman Jonathan Velazquez came on to pitch for Gonzalez in the 10^th inning and got the final out of that frame before retiring the first two batters he faced in the 11^th. After allowing a pair of two-out walks to put the potential winning run at second base, Nick Chiseri came on to get a strikeout to send the game to the 12^th.
 
A single and a walk in the 12^th by Alabama again put the pressure on the Hatters. When Drew Williamson put down a bunt to move the runners up, the Hatters were unable to execute on defense, with Chiseri's throw to first going wide of Jorge Arenas, who was moving to cover the bag, allowing the winning run to score.
 
The Hatters will send freshman right-hander Jovan Gill to the mound on Sunday in the rubber game of the series. Gill is 2-1 on the season with a 2.70 ERA. He'll be opposed by sophomore LHP Antoine Jones (1-0, 1.42). The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start and will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.
 
Game Facts

• Win – Chase Lee (4-0)
• Loss – Nick Chiseri (0-2)
• Time – 2:56

Scoring Summary

• T2 – Banks Griffith singled with one out and went to third on a single by Christian Pregent. Jackson Olson delivered a sacrifice fly to left for a 1-0 Stetson lead.
• B2 – Zane Denton tied the game with a solo homer to left. Gonzalez followed up by hitting a batter before allowing two singles to load the bases. Another hit batter forced in a run and ground ball by Peyton Wilson made it 3-1 Alabama.
• T5 – Jorge Arenas drew a one-out walk and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Dylan Brazil. Andrew MacNeil delivered a single through the right side to score Arenas and Kyle Ball followed with a double down the left-field line to knot the score at 3-3.
• B12 – William Hamiter led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved up on a walk. Drew Williamson put down a sacrifice bunt, but Nick Chiseri's throw to Arenas covering first base was wild, allowing Hamiter to score from second. 

Hatters Notes

• Brandon Hylton left the game in the three-run Alabama second inning when Andrew Pinkney collided with him at first base.
• Hernen Sardinas was out of the lineup for the Hatters for the second straight day.
• Andrew MacNeil was hit by a pitch in the 11^th inning. It was the 41^st time he has been hit by a pitch in his career.
• Banks Griffith continues to hit the ball well for Stetson, picking up a pair of hits, including a double.
• The 9.2 innings of work turned in by Chris Gonzalez was not the longest outing of his career. He set that mark in the 2019 ASUN Tournament when he pitched 11 innings of relief against Jacksonville.
• The 14 strikeouts for Stetson hitters in the game were the most this season for the Hatters and the most since striking out 15 times at Florida State on April 24, 2019.
• Alabama regained the all-time series lead against Stetson, which now stands 3-2.

 
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.