DELAND, Fla. - The Stetson Hatters achieved a rare feat at Melching Field on Saturday night while defeating the Northern Alabama Lions 12-5. Despite tallying just four hits in the contest, the Hatters drew 10 walks and saw four batters hit by pitches. All four hits went for extra bases however, as Stetson secured the series win.

After UNA (5-20, 0-8 ASUN) took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, the Hatters responded in kind in their half of the inning, using walks to center fielder Cameron Hill and first baseman Landon Moran to set the table for third baseman Yohann Dessurealt. The sophomore rose to the occasion, launching a 2-1 offering into the Stetson (17-11, 6-2 ASUN) bullpen to tie things at 3-3 with his fourth round-tripper of the season.

The Lions added a run in the top of the second, and looked poised to tack on more, but reliever Jack Owens was able to get a pop-up to second baseman Andrew Estrella and a strikeout to escape the inning with the bases loaded.

Stetson again used back-to-back walks, this time to Estrella and Hill, to respond, getting a two-run double off the wall from left fielder David Bermudez to take the lead for the first time in the game. A throwing error on the play saw Bermudez advance to third, before a productive groundout from Moran drove him in and put the Hatters on top 6-4.

North Alabama cut the lead to 6-5 in the fifth, but Hill led off Stetson's half of the frame with his second home run of the season, going opposite field down the left-field line to push the lead back to two runs, at 7-5. The Hatters weren't done though, as Bermudez drew a walk and Morna and Dessureault were both hit by pitches to load the bases for catcher Christian Pregent, who scorched a line drive down the left-field line to drive in a pair and make the advantage 9-5. Following a hard hit lineout from designated hitter Daniel Labrador, right fielder Jayden Hylton and shortstop Lorenzo Meola each drew a walk, with Meole picking up the RBI as his free pass drove in Moran to make it 10-5.

Stetson continued to take advantage of bases loaded miscues from the UNA pitching staff, with Hill wearing a pitch to drive in a run and Bermudez following with a four-pitch RBI walk to give the Hatters the 12-5 lead, and close out the game's scoring.

Jack Owens (1-0) picked up the win in relief, limiting the Lions to one run on two hits while striking out three in 3.0 innings of work. Anthony DeFabbie earned his second save of the season after surrendering a pair of runs, one earned, while scattering five hits and walking just one. He struck out four Lions in his 4.2 innings.

Bermudez and Dessureault each drove in three runs on the night, while HIll and Pregent each drove in a pair for the Hatters.
 
The Hatters will look for the series sweep tomorrow; first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 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.

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