DELAND, Fla. - The Stetson Hatters took a break from ASUN play on Tuesday night, welcoming the UCF Knights to the MAC for the 130th meeting all-time between the teams. The Hatters were unable to overcome an early deficit, falling to the Knights 7-1.

A solo home run gave UCF (18-15) the lead in the second inning and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch pushed that lead to 2-0 in the third, but Stetson (20-14) starter Dylan Jacobs got a strikeout to limit the damage.

The Knights would add two more in the fourth inning before the Hatters finally got things going in their half of the inning. Second baseman Andrew Estrella led the inning off with a single to right field before going first-to-third on a hit-and-run through the right side from right fielder Jayden Hylton. A swinging bunt from designated hitter David Bermudez loaded the bases for first baseman Landon Moran, who worked a walk to plate Estrella and cut the UCF lead to 4-1.

The Knights got the run back in the sixth and added another in the seventh before Stetson was able to mount another threat in the bottom of the seventh. The Hatters would get walks from Moran and catcher Christian Pregent on either side of a hit-by-pitch to third baseman Yohann Dessureault to load the bases, but they were unable to capitalize.

UCF made it 7-1 with a run in the eighth, but the Hatters refused to go down without a fight, loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth before a flyout deep to center from shortstop Lorenzo Meola ended the game.
 
Jayden Hylton was the only Hatter with multiple hits on the night, going 2-for-4, while Moran was 0-for-1 with a pair of walks and centerfielder Evan Griffis was 1-for-3 with a walk.

Stetson steps back into conference play this weekend, when Lipscomb comes to the the MAC for a three-game ASUN series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM on both Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 PM on Sunday. 

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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