DELAND, Fla.  – After taking the time to honor the career contributions of a senior class featuring David Bermudez, Trae Harmon, Cameron Hill, Brandon Hylton, Daniel Paret, and Christian Pregent, the Stetson Hatters returned to their ASUN series against Jacksonville at the MAC. The Hatters, who clinched a spot in the ASUN Tournament in two weeks earlier in the day, found themselves behind early and, despite fighting back, fell 5-3.

Jacksonville (30-20, 14-12 ASUN) plated the game's first two runs on a wild pitch and an RBI single in the second, but catcher Daniel Labrador had a response for Stetson (29-21, 17-9 ASUN), crushing a 1-0 pitch well clear of the left-field fence to pull the Hatters to within a run, 2-1. The home run was his ninth of the season.

The Dolphins would get a homer of their own in the third, a three-run shot to push their advantage to 5-1, but a  sacrifice fly from first baseman Landon Moran would drive in Bermudez to get a run back in the bottom of the sixth.
The Hatters would continue to chip away in the seventh, when designated hitter Brandon Hylton led off with a double off the wall and moved to third when right fielder Jayden Hylton ripped a single through the left side of the infield. Third baseman Drew Wyers then lofted a fly ball to left field, plating Hylton to cut the JU lead to 5-3.

JU would threaten to add on in the top of the ninth, putting a runner in scoring position, but the Hatters were able to escape the jam thanks to a pair of strikeouts from reliever Dylan Jacobs. Brandon Hylton gave Stetson some hope in the bottom of the frame, punching a single through the right side with one out and moving up to second on a wild pitch, but that was all that the Hatters could muster in the inning, ending the game with the tying run at the plate.

Brandon Hylton had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Labrador, Moran, and Wyers all drove in runs.
Cooper Smith came out of the bullpen for the Hatters and kept the game within reach, cooling off the Jacksonville bats over 5.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out four. Jacobs struck out the only two batters he faced.

The Hatters will look for the series win tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM.