Box Score DeLAND, Fla. -  It was an exciting day in DeLand as the Hatters took to the field for the first time this season, hosting the visiting Mountaineers of West Virginia University at Melching Field at Conrad Park. Despite rallying with a pair of home runs to recover from an early deficit, Stetson ultimately fell in their 2024 season opener, 6-4.

"We didn't play our best brand of baseball but we competed like crazy and I think it was two good teams playing, you know, you probably have twoquality Division-1 baseball programs that were going toe-to-toe," said Head Coach Steve Trimper. "I think their starter was electric, that's one of the best arms we're going to see and obviously trying to keep the leadoff hitter off base is important, simply because he makes things go with his legs and was a difference in the game."

The Moutaineers struck first, taking a 3-0 lead throught the top of the second inning. The Hatters would respond in the bottom of the inning when Jaylen Hylton lined a one-out double down the right field line on a 2-0 count to give the Hatters their first base runner of the game. With two outs and a favorable count, newcomer Gio Cueto made an immediate impact, driving in Hylton with a double to the right-center gap, putting the Hatters on the scoreboard.

With runners on first and second in the top of the fourth, an error resulted in West Virginia extending their lead to 4-1. Despite a pair of back-to-back one out walks from Brandon Hylton and his brother, Jayden, the Hatters were still searching for an answer.

Aric McAtee, making his Stetson debut on the mound, found his rhythm and held the Mountaineers scoreless in the fifth, striking out two batters. Senior Nick Durgin took over, maintaining the one-score deficit and striking out West Virginia's leadoff hitter, sending it back to Stetson's side of the order.

In the bottom of the sixth, Stetson finally found their momentum. Landon Moran drew a demanding eight-pitch walk before stealing second base, setting the stage for Jayden Hylton to crush a deep shot to left field with two outs.

The homerun from Hylton, who homered in last season's opening day, cut the deficit down to one but Stetson wasn't finished. After a double play silenced the Mountaineers in the top of the seventh, the rain began to fall. Undeterred, centerfielder Evan Griffis wasted no time, launching the first pitch he saw for a no-doubter to left field, leveling the score at four runs apiece.

Durgin secured two outs before conceding a walk, concluding his night. Following Durgin's relief in the top of the eighth, West Virginia regained the lead with a two-run homer to straightaway center, a blow from which the Hatters couldn't recover.

McAtee delivered 5.0 innings in his first start as a Hatter, allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out five batters.

"I think he pitched well enough to keep us in a really important ballgame on a Friday night against a top-25 program," said Trimper. "He threw strikes but we didn't walk a ton tonight, we made them earn it and he really didn't put up a crooked number."

Stetson was limited to just four hits in the game, but each made an impact as all four were extra-base hits, including the two home runs from Hylton and Griffis.

"We got some talent in the field, I think Jayden and some of these sophomores, Evan Griffis obviously, I think they've become better players when they were playing a lot as a freshman last year so it's not just hitting those homeruns but it's about coming back when you're down and not have that give up mentality and that's the sign of a winning ball club," said Trimper.

Stetson will take the field again tomorrow morning for the second game of the series against the West Virginia Mountaineers, with first pitch scheduled for 10:30 AM at Melching Field at Conrad Park. Although there won't be a live stream, live stats will be available at gohatters.com.

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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