WICHITA, Kan. - The Stetson Hatters were back in action on Saturday afternoon, taking on the Wichita State Shockers in non-conference action. The Hatters climbed out of an early hole before ultimately falling to the Shockers 9-3.

The Shockers grabbed an early lead  thanks to a two-run home run in the bottom of the firt inning, but Stetson (9-7) responded immediately, scoring three in the top of the second. Right fielder Jayden Hylton got things started for the Hatters, launching his fourth home run over the season over the fence in left field. Designated hitter Tripp McKinlay reached on an infield single and moved to third on a double from catcher Daniel Labrador, before shortstop Lorenzo Meola drove them both in with a double to put Stetson on top 3-2.

WSU (8-6) would break the game open in the third, using six hits and a Stetson error to strike seven times and claim a 9-3 lead.

After the fireworks displayed during the first three frames, the Hatters and Shockers would find themselves locked in a pitcher's duel the rest of the way, combining for six hits over the game's final five and a half innings.

Cole Stallings and TJ Melani were stellar in relief for Stetson, with Stallings holding WSU to a single run on three hits and a walk over 3.1 innings. Melani followed up with 2.0 innings of hitless work, retiring all six batters he faced. Each Hatter reliever struck out a pair.
At the plate, Stetston was led by Labrador, who went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, and Hylton, who was 2-for-4 with a run scored and run batted in.
 
Stetson will look to salvage the series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch, originally scheduled for 2:00 PM, has been pushed up to 1:00 PM 
 

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.