DeLand, Fla. -  The Stetson Hatters opened their final regular season series at the MAC on Thursday night, welcoming the Central Arkansas Bears for the first of a three-game set. The Hatters picked up the win on the back of a strong pitching performance from the entire staff, taking down the Bears 3-1. 

Aric McAtee started for Stetson (35-19, 19-10 ASUN) and got a no-decision despite allowing a single run on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven. Ty Van Dyke (2-1) picked up the win, combining with Chris Shine, Zane Coppersmith, and Cole Stallings to hold Central Arkansas (23-27, 12-16 ASUN) scoreless and hitless while striking out three over the final four innings.

Stetson and Central Arkansas started slow, combining for just three hits through the game's first four innings, before the Bears scratched out a run in the top of the fifth. But the Hatters were ready with an answer, as shorstop Lorenzo Meola led off the bottom of the inning with his third home run in the past two games to even the score at 1-1. 

Steton added on in the sixth inning, when third baseman Isaiah Barkett got things going with a one-out bunt single. Right fielder Logan Hughes followed with a double down the left-field line to put the Hatters up 2-1, before scoring on a single off the bat of first baseman Logan Moran to make it 3-1 and close out the scoring. 

Meola led the Stetson offense on the day, going 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk, and Barkett added a pair of hits and run scored. 

Stetson and Central Arkansas will return to action tomorrow night at 6:30 PM before closing out the regular season at 1:00 PM on Saturday.