DELAND, Fla. — Stetson opened the 2026 season Friday night at Melching Field at Conrad Park, falling to Minnesota 11-5 in the Home Opener.
The Golden Gophers used three home runs and a decisive four-run fourth inning to swing momentum and pull away.
Stetson jumped out early. In the bottom of the first, Juan De La Cruz reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error before Renzo Gonzalez singled to put runners on the corners. Foster Apple delivered an RBI single to bring De La Cruz home, and a wild pitch later allowed Gonzalez to score, giving the Hatters a 2-0 lead.
Stetson extended the advantage in the second inning when Daniel Perez came around to score following another Gonzalez base hit, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Minnesota answered with two runs in the top of the second and then took control in the fourth. After Yohann Dessureault ripped an RBI double to keep Stetson within striking distance, Charlie Sutherland launched a three-run homer as part of a four-run inning that gave the Golden Gophers a 7-4 edge.
Minnesota continued to add on, stretching its lead to 10-4 before Gonzalez scored in the sixth inning on a fielding error to cut the deficit to 10-5. The Gophers added one final run late to secure the 11-5 final.
Gonzalez, in his Stetson debut, paced the Hatters offensively with a 4-for-5 night, adding a double, an RBI and scoring three runs. Dessureault went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, reaching base five times, while Apple contributed two hits and an RBI. De La Cruz reached base twice and scored a run.
James Hays got the Opening Day start for Stetson, working 2.1 innings and allowing three runs (one earned). Connor Ball followed in relief, with Jake Gorelick, Lathan Haywood, Brendan Walker and TJ Melani also seeing action on the mound. Haywood delivered 1.1 scoreless innings, and Walker did not allow a hit over 1.2 innings of work.
Minnesota was led offensively by Sutherland, who went 3-for-6 with two home runs and four RBIs.
Stetson (0-1) returns to action Saturday at 6 p.m. against Ball State at Melching Field. The game will stream live on GoHatters.com with live stats available on the schedule page. Fans can also follow Stetson Baseball on social media for in-game updates and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the weekend.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
