DELAND, Fla. - Fans at the MAC were treated to an early offensive explosion followed by an eight inning pitcher's duel at the Stetson Hatters opened ASUN play against the Kennesaw State Owls. After the sides combined for seven runs in the first inning, both bullpens, led  by Stetson's NIck Durgin, slowed the game down, all before the Hatters plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth for the 6-5 win.

Kennesaw State (8-8, 0-1 ASUN) flew out of the gates, plating three runs on three hits in the top of the first, but the Hatters appeared unfazed, responding with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Left fielder Evan Griffis got things started with a walk before coming all the way around to score on a double to right-center field by third baseman Yohann Dessureault. First baseman Landon Moran poked a single through the left side to give catcher Christian Pregent runners at the corners, and he delivered with a hard-hit single back up the middle to drive in Dessureault. A productive groundout would move both runners up, and designated hitter David Bermudez would find some open space to bring them in, ripping a double down the right field line to drive in both Moran and Pregent and give Stetson (12-8, 1-0 ASUN) a 4-3 lead.

Both sides looked set to add on almost immediately, though both scoring chances proved unsuccessful, as the Owls left the bases loaded in the second and the Hatters did the same in the third.

The Owls evened things up with an unearned run in the fifth inning, the Hatters threatened in  the sixth but were unable to retake the lead, leaving the bases loaded.
Kennesaw State would take a 5-4 lead with an unearned run in the top of the ninth, Moran would start the rally attempt with a single to left-center field, before catcher Christian Pregent doubled off the wall in right-center to give the Hatters a pair of runners in scoring position. Second baseman Andrew Estrella reset the score once again, driving in Moran and moving pinch runner Jeb Despard to third with a rope back up the middle to knot things up at 5-5. Bermudez then delivered the game-winner for the Hatters, lofting a sacrifice fly to right field to score Despard and give Stetson the 6-5 win.
 
Durgin turned in a dominant performance out of the pen, striking out nine Owls while allowing just two hits and two walks, while fellow righty Cole Stallings (1-0) got the win in 0.1 innings.
Moran and Pregent each picked up three hits on the day, with Moran adding a pair of runs scored and Pregent driving in a run and scoring another, while Bermudez drove in three runs.

Stetson and KSU are back at it tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch bumped up five hours to 1:30 PM due to expected weather. The teams will then wrap the series up on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 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