DeLAND, FL – The Stetson Hatters dropped an 8-5 decision to South Carolina Upstate on Tuesday night at home, despite a strong 3-for-3 performance from sophomore Nelphie Lopez.

Sophomore Zane Coppersmith (2-2) took the loss for Stetson, who now falls to 8-9 on the season. Starter Jake Gorelick threw three shutout innings on the mound for the Hatters, allowing just one hit.

Sophomore Salvador Alvarez also had a solid night, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a team-high two RBIs. While Lopez drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, Landon Russell chipped in with two hits, including a double, and a walk. Despite the loss, Stetson managed to out-hit the Spartans at an 11-7 clip.

Stetson got off to a fast start, scoring two runs in the first inning after a throwing error by the Spartans' defense. The Hatters then held the Spartans scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Stetson pushed across a run on Alvarez's RBI double, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Hatters.

Stetson saw its lead slip away as South Carolina Upstate took control with a big inning, moving ahead 8-3 by the 6th inning. The Hatters rallied in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs to cut the deficit to 8-5, with Alvarez driving in one run with a single and another coming on the sacrifice fly. However, Stetson couldn't narrow the gap further, as neither team scored again.

Stetson will return to Melching Field tomorrow for the series finale against South Carolina Upstate before opening ASUN Conference play this weekend.