DELAND, Fla. -- Stetson Baseball defended the M.A.C. with a 2023 opening-series sweep of Manhattan, taking game three 8-6, Sunday afternoon in Melching Field at Conrad Park. Tuesday, about 22 hours from this release, Stetson will face the Hurricanes in a pivotal midweek match up; the game will be streamed on ACCNX as part of the ESPN family of networks with first pitch at 6:00 p.m. (Game link)

The Jaspers took the lead in the top of the first, but the Hatters responded in the bottom half of the inning gaining their first advantage of the afternoon when ASUN player of the week Jayden Hylton record his first RBI of the game, scoring Yohann Dessurereault, 2-1 Hatters. Estrella scored on Dessurereault's hit the play prior to tie that game.

Christian Pregent blasted a homerun to centerfield the next inning to give SU a two-run cushion [3-1], but MC responded in the third to cut it to a one-run game in the top of third with an RBI single with Trevor Santos hitting a single to left center, 3-2 Hatters.

SU pushed back ahead, this time going up by three with initially Dessurereault hitting a solo home run in the third to answer the Jaspers with Drew Wyers taking advantage of a fielding error in the fifth.

Manhattan College tied the game in the top of the seventh, but the freshman Hylton brother came through for the Hats, earning an RBI with a base on balls. The junior Brandon Hylton and Landon Moran both were hit by pitch following to walk in a pair of runs (8-5).

Freshman Jake Gorelick (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Stetson (3-0). The right-hander went one shutout inning without giving up a hit, one walk and striking out one. Junior Cole Stallings also pitched well, going four innings, surrendering three runs, one earned, on one hit, walking two and striking out eight. Nick Durgin picked up the save in one inning of work.

Sophomore Yohann Dessureault led the way offensively for the Hatters, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a double, a home run and two RBI. Junior Christian Pregent provided a standout effort as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Freshman Jayden Hylton also helped out, going 1-for-3 for Stetson with a walk and two RBI.

Facing Miami Tuesday will be a task for the Hatters as Miami boast a #22 ranking in division one baseball. Coming off a 2-1 series win, won off a walk-off homerun in the series finale, the Hurricanes will be out for the Hatters after last season's 12-4 Stetson wins. With a stacked line up, it will be a tough task for the Hatters, but after a dominant series, Stetson looks poised to grab an upset. On the hill for Stetson will be Jonathan Gonzalez. Gonzalez threw a scoreless, hitless inning on Friday against the Jaspers. Gonzalez was second highest on last year's squad with 58 strikeouts.

Trying to stop the Hatters will be Alejandro Torres. Torres was roughed up against the Nittany Lions in a no decision surrendering three hits and one run in the 9-5 loss to Penn State.

As mentioned earlier in the article, the game will stream live on ACCNX, available on ESPN+, with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch.

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 (PDF).

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