DeLand, Fla. - After kicking off Daytona Bike Week with a promotion that saw 200 Hatter Baseball fans pick up an HBMC (Hatter Baseball Motorcycle Club) shirts, the Stetson Hatters treated the almost 900 fans in attendance to a thriller, winning in walkoff fashion against the Pittsburgh Panthers, on Cameron HIll's first home run of the season.

The Panthers (6-5) struck first, taking advantage of a game-opening walk to stake a claim to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. That lead would prove to be short-lived however, as Stetson (8-3)responded with a crooked number in the bottom of the frame. A single from left fielder Evan Griffis, sandwiched between walks to Hill and first baseman Landon Moran loaded the bases, and the Hatters capitalized, getting an RBI walk from right fielder Jayden Hylton,  a single from designated hitter Jake Bullard, and a sacrifice fly from catcher Christian Pregent to take a 3-1 lead after one inning of play.

Stetson wasted no time adding on, when second baseman David Bermudez ripped a single up the middle with two outs in the second. Following another walk to Moran, both runners moved up on a wild pitch and a throwing error on the play allowed Bermudez to score, before Bullard picked up his second RBI single of the night, this one on a sharply hit ball to left to drive in Moran and make it 5-1 Hatters.

Pitt would cut into the lead in the top of the fifth inning, thanks to a two-run home run to pull to within two runs at 5-3. The Panthers threatened to add more in the inning, loading the bases after the home run, but leftfy Anthony DeFabbia was able to force a fly out to center field to leave the bases loaded.
 
Neither side was able to generate a solid chance, until the top of the ninth, when PIttsburgh used a walk and a double to put a pair of runners in scoring position with no outs. After a popup for the first out, the Panthers got a sacrifice fly to cut the Stetson lead to 5-4 and plant the tying run just 90 feet away. Two more walks, one intentional, loaded the bases, before a close call went against the Hatters for a third walk, this one pushing across the tying run and resetting the game. A strikeout from righty Nick Durgin ended the threat.
 
The Hatters responded immediately, as Hill stepped to the plate, watched a ball, fouled a pitch off, and watched another ball, before driving the 2-1 pitch to the opposite field, clearing the fence in left for the walk-off home run and the 6-5 win. 

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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