GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: April 2, 2024
TIME: Tuesday: 6:30 PM
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LOCATION:
Melching Field at Conrad Park
DeLand, Fla. |
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GAME DAY LINK
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LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
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THE LEAD
The Hatters are coming off a sweep of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, their second straight series sweep, in which they recorded 38 runs in the three-game slate. The Hatters now return home for a break in conference play as they host the USF Bulls on Tuesday at Melching Field at Conrad Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM with all the action being streamed to ESPN+.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The two Sunshine State rivals have met 182 times prior to Tuesday's game as the series has been a dead even split, 91-91. While Stetson trails 39-50 when playing on the road, the Hatters hold the advantage at home with a 51-40 record in DeLand. They last met on May 16, 2023 when the Hatters defeated the Bulls 11-5 on the road. The series dates all the way back to March 19, 1966 when Stetson won the inaugural game 3-1 at home. Over their lengthy history, the Hatters have plated 1,056 total runs, 5.8 runs per game.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (19-9, 7-2 ASUN)
Stetson enters the game on a six-game win streak after sweeping both the Lipscomb Bisons and the EKU Colonels, the latter of the two on the road. The bats were hot for the Hatters as they racked up 38 runs in just three games against the Colonels after winning each game of the Lipscomb series on a walk-off. Their latest game, a 13-9 win on Sunday, marked Head Coach Steve Trimper's 700th career win.
Four Hatters went yard over the weekend including Logan Hughes. The freshman hit not just one but two home runs in the series as he led the team with six hits and six RBIs
Freshman
Kyle Jones has now reached base in 15 straight games after going five for 14 against EKU. He is currently leading the team with a .375 batting average and .508 OB%. Jones has tallied 36 hits in 96 at-bats this season, eight of which have been extra base hits.
Gio Cueto paces Stetson with 26 RBIs, 12th most in the conference. The junior catcher is batting .323 on the year with 12 extra base hits, including a team-leading nine doubles.
Yohann Dessureault has started all 28 games at second base, batting .309 with 30 hits. 15 of his hits have been extra base hits, including a team-high eight home runs. He has plated 21 runs while providing a .629 SLG%.
Anthony DeFabbia earned his fifth win of the season while
Nick Durgin led the Hatters with an eight-strikeout performance over five innings over the weekend.
Dylan Jacobs will get the starting nod for Tuesday's game, his sixth start of the season, as he's struck out 19 batters over 22.1 innings pitched.
SCOUTING THE BULLS (16-12, 3-3 AMERICAN)
USF enters the game on a two-game skid after dropping two of their three games against conference foe Charlotte over the weekend. The losses come after a four-game win streak that saw the Bulls take two of three games against Memphis before defeating Bethune-Cookman 6-5 on the road.
Senior infielder John Montes and junior outfielder Jackson Mayo spearhead the offense as they bat .380 and .324, respectively. The duo has hit five home runs each while the latter narrowly edges out the former 28 to 27 in RBIs. However, senior outfielder Drew Brutcher leads the team with a .537 after starting all 28 games this season.
Montes was named AAC Player of the Week on March 25 after batting .400 (8-for-20) with two walks, a double, two homers, six runs scored and eight RBI over a five game week. Over three games against Memphis, the senior batted .500 (6-for-12) with two home runs, including a grand slam, and eight RBI to help lead South Florida to a series win as conference play began.
Redshirt-senior Dominick Madonna will get the start on Tuesday. He struck out 25 batters in 21 innings this season including six strikeouts against Bethune-Cookman.
NEXT UP
Stetson will continue their homestand as they return to conference play by hosting the Kennesaw State Owls for a three-game series. They will play at 6:30 PM at Melching Field on Friday and Saturday night before concluding the series at 1:00 PM on Sunday. The series will feature Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Friday and Military Appreciation Night on Saturday. The action will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at www.gohatters.com.
