TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Seniors Aric McAtee and Anthony DeFabbia combined to throw a shutout in Saturday's NCAA Regional game as the Stetson Hatters blanked the Alabama Crimson Tide 4-0 at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee. Despite a delay for inclement weather, the Hatters get back in the win column after dropping their opener to Florida State as they knock off the Tide. The Regional victory also marked Stetson's first shutout win of the season and first since May 18, 2023. 

McAtee started on the mound for Stetson, who is now 41-21, tossing 4.1 shutout innings while giving up four hits, walking four, and striking out three. DeFabbia, now 9-1, picked up the win out of the bullpen and went 4.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit, walking none and striking out four. DeFabbia is now the first Hatter since the 2018 season to record nine wins in a season.

Offensively, the Hatters were paced by freshman Kyle Jones, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Sophomore Isaiah Barkett compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. He has now tallied three RBIs in the NCAA Regional, most on the team. Sophomore Jayden Hylton also helped out for Stetson, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a double.

The Hatters took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Jones put Stetson on the board with a leadoff home run to left center off junior Ben Hess.

The Hatters then tacked on runs in the third, sixth, and seventh innings, the latter coming on Barkett's two-out RBI double.

McAtee and DeFabbia limited Alabama to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position. McAtee did his part in holding off the Tide as he had to make the tag at the plate on wild pitch. They faced 36 Alabama hitters in the game, forcing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out seven.

Stetson will now await the outcome of the Florida State vs. UCF game to see who they draw next.