The Stetson University baseball team will send its rebellion forces on an attack run tonight against the Empire, hoping to rake the new Empire fortress with bombs as the Hatters make one last attempt to earn a road victory against No. 8 Florida this year.
 
The incursion into Empire space will commence at 6 p.m. and coverage of the entire encounter will be broadcast across the galaxy via the SEC Network Plus with Empire commentators Mick Hubert and Nick Belmonte calling the action.
 
Rebellion general Steve Trimper and his forces have been repelled by the empire twice this spring, falling to the Gator storm troopers 10-7 and 7-6 during previous excursions against the Empire base. This will be the final attempt to conquer the Empire base this spring, but the Hatters anticipate an upcoming attack from the Empire against the rebellion stronghold at Melching Field within the next week.
 
Lieutenant general Dave Therneau has plans to employ his entire attack force during tonight's incursion against the Empire. Redshirt sophomore Bret Neilan (1-2, 6.30) will lead the attack, making his second run against the Empire this year. His attack was fended off by the Empire on March 10, with the Gator troopers earning four hits and three runs in an inning and a third.
 
Neilan will be the first of numerous Hatters who will take center stage during the skirmish. Therneau may employ as many as seven or eight in his attack array during the game with others such as Austin Wood, Anthony DeFabbia, Gavin Sullivan, Garner Spoljaric, Cole Stallings, Jonathan Velazquez and even former Gators' trooper Nick Long possibly getting a chance to carry the attack to the empire squad.
 
The Hatters will also employ a troop of jedi warriors who will attempt to fend off attacks from empire's forces, who will be led by freshman left-hander Timmy Manning (0-0, 5.68). Manning faced the Stetson jedi warriors during the first Hatters incursion into empire territory, and he was left badly beaten, having surrendered five runs on five hits in just 1.2 innings of work.
 
Manning has been involved in just three skirmishes since that outing and surrendered three runs on three hits to Jacksonville in his last foray into action on April 20.
 
In his first encounter against the Stetson jedi, it was the Hatters who wield their light sabers from the left side who did the most damage. Jedi master Hernen Sardinas singled home a run prior to fellow jedi master Andrew MacNeil delivering a two-run triple. Another jedi master, Nick DiPonzio, doubled home two more runs, giving the Hatters an early 5-0 advantage in the first skirmish of the year.
 
The Hatters were unable to maintain their momentum during that game, with only apprentice jedi Brandon Hylton, who also swings his light saber from the left side, able to cause damage to the empire troops. He doubled home a run in the seventh inning and then launched a mighty blast in the ninth.
 
Tonight's skirmish promises to be a grand homecoming for master MacNeil, who grew up in the shadows of the empire. He will enter battle for the 200^th time in his career tonight, fighting for the honor of his hometown family and friends. MacNeil comes into the battle swinging a particularly hot saber of late, having secured hits in his last six skirmishes, including four on Saturday against that rogue unit from Jacksonville.
 
MacNeil has three hits in the two previous outings against the empire. He is planning to mount an individual infiltration of the empire next year where he will be studying to become a medical officer once the war is over for him.
 
May the force be with each member of the Hatters rebellion as they enter the fray tonight.
 
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.