AUBURN, Ala. — The Stetson Hatters saw their NCAA Regional journey come to an end on Sunday afternoon, falling 17-12 to NC State in a high-scoring elimination game at Plainsman Park. Despite the result, the heart, fight, and togetherness the team displayed throughout the weekend — and the season — left a lasting impression.
The Hatters (41-22) carried an 8-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh, powered by a breakout performance from junior Evan Griffis, who capped off a stellar postseason with a 3-for-4 day, including a triple, home run, walk, and five RBIs. Fellow junior Jordan Taylor wrapped up his own strong run in the tournament by going 4-for-5 with a solo home run in the sixth. Landon Moran added two hits and three RBIs, including a key double in the third that tied the game.
Head Coach Steve Trimper praised the team's toughness and the program's continued rise on the national stage.
"Obviously, I'm just super proud of our 2025 team," Trimper said. "Some of the things we've accomplished — back-to-back 40-plus wins, back-to-back regionals, back-to-back good showings at regionals, back-to-back wins in regionals — and for a program of 2,100 students down in DeLand, Florida... I'm just super proud of how our guys not only played this tournament but played all year long."
Stetson jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Isaiah Barkett scored on a balk in the first inning. After NC State answered with three runs in the second, the Hatters fought back in the third and fifth, taking a 7-4 lead thanks to timely hits from Moran and a two-run triple by Griffis.
Taylor's two-out homer in the sixth stretched the lead to four, but the Wolfpack responded with a furious rally, scoring 11 unanswered runs to flip the game in their favor. The Hatters didn't go quietly, Griffis crushed a two-run homer in the eighth to highlight a four-run inning that cut the deficit to 15-12, but NC State added two more in the ninth to close it out.
Though the season ends in defeat, the Hatters' performance reflected a program built on grit and unity.
"If you saw today, it's kind of our season," Trimper added. "We fight a lot... We like to get on the field, we like to play hard, and we like to try to outcompete you. Today's loss is not even close to what this team is about. Today's fight is what this team is about."
Sophomore Matthew Heyl was a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing three innings of one-run ball with no walks and two strikeouts. Senior Justin Solimine (3-3) took the loss after coming on in relief.
Griffis, who made the most of his moment on the postseason stage, reflected on what the program has meant to him.
"This team is special. This program is special," he said. "The best thing for me is the best friends that I've made — lifelong relationships with people. These are my brothers for life, and I'm just thankful for it all."
As the Hatters close the book on another successful campaign, their second straight 40-win season and regional appearance, they do so with the foundation of a true program.
"There are teams and there are programs," Trimper said. "Teams are built for one year... Programs are long-term, sustained success. And I'm very proud to say that we have a program. We've built something special here."
