DELAND, Fla. - For the second weekend in a row, the Stetson Hatters found themselves playing a doubleheader due to weather, and for the second weekend in a row they split that doubleheader. After suffering a 15-2 run-rule defeat to Lipscomb in the day's first game, Stetson salvaged the day and the series with an 8-2 win in the finale.

After the first game went to Lipscomb (18-17, 11-4 ASUN), the Hatters turned to redshirt senior Daniel Paret, who was taking the mound for the first time in a month. The southpaw delivered in a big way for Stetson (21-16, 9-6 ASUN), limiting the Bisons to a single run on three hits while walking three and striking out six in 5.0 innings of work. Paret earned the win on the day, his first in three years and 11 months after a lengthy battle with injuries.

The Bisons threatened first in the day's second game, loading the bases with one out, but Paret was able to induce a pair of pop-ups on the infield to escape the jam. The Hatters responded in kind, using a pair of walks and a single to shallow right field to load the bases with one out on the board. Stetson was able to capitalize however, as shortstop Lorenzo Meola and third baseman Drew Wyers each drew a walk to flip the lineup over and bring up right fielder Brandon Hylton. After a pair of pitches, the big lefty broke the game open for the Hatters, launching an absolute blast over the foul pole down the right field line to put Stetson up 6-0.

Paret continued to cruise, striking out three over the next two innings, before Stetson added on to the lead. Hylton worked a walk and second baseman Andrew Estrella reached on a fielder's choice to bring up first baseman Landon Moran, who poked a single through the right side to drive in Hylton and extend the lead to 7-0 after four innings.

Lipscomb would chip away with a single run in both the fifth and sixth innings, but Stetson responded with an insurance run in the form of an RBI hit-by-pitch to Moran in the bottom of the sixth to make it 8-2 Hatters.

Nick Durgin relieved Paret, holding Lipscomb to one run on two hits with a strikeout in 2.0 innings.

Six Hatters reached base multiple times in the game. Brandon Hylton was 1-for-3 with four RBI, two runs, and a walk, while Moran, centerfielder Jayden Hylton, and designated hitter Trae Harmon all went 1-for-2 with a walk. Wyers was 1-for-1 with a walk and an HBP in the game, and Estrella reached on a fielder's choice and a walk.

Lipscomb exploded out of the gates in the day's first game, building a 13-0 lead before the Hatters were able to respond. Stetson's only offense came in the bottom of the third, when the Hatters got RBI singles from catcher Christian Pregent and Moran to plate a pair of runs, but the Bisons got those runs back in the sixth to close out the game's scoring.

Stetson is on the road for its next five games, beginning Tuesday night with a trip to Orlando to face off with UCF at 6:00 PM. The Hatters then head to Conway, Arkansas to face off with ASUN foe Central Arkansas at 7:00 PM on Friday, 5:00 PM on Saturday, and 2:00 PM on Sunday. The final game of the road swing is next Tuesday (April 25th) at 5:00 PM, when the Hatters visit Florida State in Tallahassee. 

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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