LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After a 22-hour delay to the start of their ASUN series at Bellarmine, the Stetson Hatters finally returned to action, opening their three-game series against the Knights on Friday in the form of their first doubleheader of the season. The Hatters dropped the first game 6-3, before rebounding for a 14-3, run-rule win in the day's second game.

After a late rally attempt came up short in game one, Stetson (20-12, 8-3 ASUN) stormed out of the gates in the second game, when second baseman Andrew Estrella opened the game with a double down the left-field line, moved to third on a wild pitch, and came in to score on a double from left fielder David Bermudez for a 1-0 lead.

Bermudez got things going in the third with a two-out single, followed by a single from first baseman Landon Moran. Third baseman Yohann Dessureult then crushed a 1-0 offering well over the fence in right to push the Hatter lead to 4-0 with his fifth home run. Catcher Christian Pregent followed with a home run of his own, launching his sixth of the year to right.

Stetson added on in the fifth, when a balk scored Bermudez and Dessurealth picked up his second home run of the day, a two-run shot to score Moran and push the advantage to 8-0.

Stetson added a  two-run single from Bermudez and a run-scoring error off the bat of Dessureault in the sixth, before Bellarmine (9-22, 4-7 ASUN) finally got on the board with three runs in the seventh.

Stetson got those runs back immediately, thanks to a two-run double from Pregent and an RBI double from right fielder Jayden Hylton to go back up 14-3 and put the run-rule into effect.

Righty Nick Guzzi came out of the bullpen and slammed the door on the Knights, inducing a flyout and striking out two to end the game after eight innings.

Lefty Anthony DeFabbia (2-2) earned the win, limiting Bellarmine to three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven in 7.0 innings.

Both teams would threaten early in the day's first game, but it would be Bellarmine who would strike first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Hatters would get an immediate counter though, as Estrella would even things up with his seventh home 
run of the season in the fourth.

The Knights would break the game open with four runs in the sixth inning and another in the eighth, and the Hatters wouldn't find an answer until the top of the ninth. Pinch hitter 
Brandon Hylton got things started with a solo home run, his fifth of the season, to cut into the Bellarmine lead, and an RBI double from Moran plated shortstop Lorenzo Meola to make it 6-3, but that was all Stetson could manage.

Multiple Hatters had a successful day at the plate, led by Pregent (4-for-7, three RBI), Moran (4-for-9, two doubles), and Bermudez (3-for-6, three RBI).

The Hatters and Knights will look to settle the series tomorrow, with first pitch set 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 (PDF).

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