JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Stetson trailed home-standing Jacksonville 3-2 after seven innings Thursday afternoon, but rallied with two runs in each of the last two frames to take 6-4 victory over the Dolphins at Sessions Stadium.

Sophomore Austin Amaral (2-1) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Stetson (18-15, 5-8). The right-hander went three innings in relief of starter Chris Gonzalez, giving up one run on three hits. He didn't allow any walks and struck out three.

Gonzalez was exceptional in his first start since March 1. He had one bad inning, the second, in which he surrendered a solo homer and then allowed two bloop hits before hitting consecutive batters to force in a run. From that point until the seventh inning, he cruised, allowing just four hits after the second while striking out five.

The Hatters got the scoring started in the first inning against Jacksonville junior Mason Adams (4-1). Jakob Bullard delivered a two-out single off the ASUN's strikeout leader to score Nick DiPonzio from third for a 1-0 Stetson lead.

After JU took a 2-1 lead in the second, freshman Yohann Dessureault tied the game in the fourth with a majestic home run to center.

JU chased Gonzalez in the seventh after a walk and a hit-and-run single put Dolphins on the corners with no one out. Amaral came on and got a fly ball to center for the first out, but deep enough to score the runner from third. Amaral then recorded a strikeout and got a ground ball to prevent further damage.

Stetson chased Adams in the eighth inning after a pair of hits put the tying and go-ahead runners on base with one out. JU closer Tyler Vogel came on in relief, but the Hatters pulled a double-steal to put both runners in scoring position before a wild pitch allowed Cameron Hill to score the tying run. Bullard then delivered again for Stetson with a two-out single up the middle to score the go-ahead run.

Stetson added two more runs in the ninth after a Jacksonville error with two out in the inning opened the door. Andrew Estrella reached on the two-base error then moved up on a wild pitch. Christian Pregent followed with a walk, then stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Hill was the two-out hero this time, delivering a hit to score both runners to give Stetson a 6-3 lead.

Jacksonville (16-15, 4-9) got one of the runs back in the bottom of the ninth with a pair of hits, but Amaral got a ground ball to close out the game.

Hill, Bullard and Pregent had two hits each to lead the Stetson attack. Jacksonville got three hits in the game from Blake DeLamielleure, but the Dolphins were just 3-for-11 with two out in the game and left eight runners stranded on base, five in scoring position.

Stetson will go for the series win on Friday when the teams square off once again at 2 p.m. Redshirt sophomore Nick Durgin will be on the mound for the Hatters in that game.

This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.

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