JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  - The Stetson Hatters returned to ASUN play on the road Friday night, heading to Jacksonville to open a weekend series at North Florida. The Hatters jumped to an early lead before fending off a late comeback attempt to take down the Ospreys 7-5.

The Hatters (15-9, 4-0 ASUN) showed strong plate discipline while sending eight batters to the plate in the first inning, six of whom saw at least six pitches. Center fielder Cameron Hill got things going with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a walk from left fielder Evan Griffis. After the next two Hatters were retired, the runners moved up on a failed pickoff attempt before back-to-back full-count walks from catcher Christian Pregent and second baseman Andrew Estrella drove in Hill to put Stetson on the board. Designated hitter David Bermudez flipped the script, firing the second pitch he saw into center field to drive in Griffis and Pregent and extend the lead to 3-0.

North Florida (12-11, 1-3 ASUN) got a run back in the bottom of the inning before both pitchers settled in to fire three scoreless innings. The Ospreys would cut the Stetson lead to 3-2 thanks to an unearned run in the fifth, but Stetson responded immediately. WIth one out in the top of the sixth, Estrella ripped a triple down the right field line and Bermudez came up big again, blasting his third home run of the season over the fence in left-center for the 5-2 lead. Right field Jayden Hilton then walked and stole second base, before a throwing error on a throw to first after a strikeout allowed him to score, making it 6-2. The Hatters added another in the seventh on an RBI single from Estrella for the 7-2 lead.

The Ospreys would strike three times in the seventh to cut the Stetson lead to 7-5, but righty Nick Durgin worked a scoreless eighth and lefty Anthony DeFabbia added a scoreless ninth to secure the win and earn his first save of the season.

Junior right-hander Austin Amaral (3-2) picked up the win after tossing 6.0 innings and limiting UNF to a pair of runs, just one earned, on one hit and three walks while striking out six.

Bermudez led the charge at the plate for Stetson, going 3-for-4 on the night and picking up four RBI and a run, while Estrella chipped in with a 2-for-3, two RBI performance. Third baseman Yohann Dessureault was the only other Hatter with multiple hits, going 2-for-4, and Hylton added a pair of walks to reach base twice.
 
Stetson and UNF are back at it tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 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.

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