The Stetson Hatters will be back in action at Melching Field on Tuesday afternoon when they host Florida State in a game scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.
 
The Hatters (20-23) are coming off a tough weekend series against Liberty that included a 15-inning series opener. Florida State (26-15) swept a rain-shortened two-game non-conference series from TCU. The Seminoles were leading Sunday's series finale 6-5 in the fourth inning when weather forced the cancellation of play.
 
As a result of the wins over TCU, FSU returned to the national rankings this week, ranking 23^rd in the D1Baseball.com poll as well as in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll. The Seminoles are ranked 15^th in the nation by Baseball America, and are 25^th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
 
This will be the second meeting this year between the teams. FSU outlasted Stetson 5-4 back on April 6 in Tallahassee in a game that went 12 innings. The Hatters were one-out away from winning the game in regulation with Florida State got a two-run pinch-hit homer to send the game into extra innings, eventually winning on an error in the 12^th.
 
Stetson sophomore right-hander Austin Amaral (2-2) will make his first collegiate start on Tuesday. The University High product has made 24 career appearances for Stetson out of the bullpen, including 16 this year. He last worked in the 15-inning game on Friday against Liberty, allowing just one hit in 3.2 innings, but taking the loss in the game.
 
Amaral also pitched against FSU in the first game, working 3.1 innings. He was the victim of the game-tying homer in the ninth inning.
 
FSU is expected to counter with sophomore left-hander Ross Dunn (1-3). A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Dunn will be making his 10^th start of the year. He has struggled in his last three starts – against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Louisville – allowing 13 runs in 8.1 innings. He threw two shutout innings in relief on Friday against TCU.
 
The Seminoles have not fared well on the road this year, having posted just four wins in 11 games away from Dick Howser Stadium, including non-conference road losses to Jacksonville, Mercer and Florida.
 
Tuesday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Messod Bendayan and Evan Weston on the call. Pregame ceremonies will include recognition of the 2022 ASUN Champion Stetson women's tennis team, which will open NCAA play in Coral Gables this weekend.
 
The Hatters will go back on the road in ASUN play following the game against FSU, making the second trip of the year up to Jacksonville, this time for a three-game series against North Florida.
 
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. Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics and, for live events, Hatter Vision.