GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Stetson recorded 10 hits, including its first home run of the season, but stranded 10 runners on base in a 9-3 loss to No. 12 Florida on Wednesday night at Condron Ballpark.
The Hatters (0-5) had traffic throughout the night but were unable to overcome a six-run second inning by the Gators (4-1), which proved to be the difference.
Florida capitalized on a pair of errors and timely hits in the second to build a 6-0 lead. It marked the first time this season Stetson did not score in the opening inning.
Stetson responded in the third. Landon Russell worked a walk before freshman Renzo Gonzalez launched a two-run homer to right field — his first as a Hatter and the team's first of the season — to cut the deficit to 6-2.
Florida added a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning to push the lead to 7-2.
The Hatters continued to chip away in the fifth. Russell doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Foster Apple, trimming the margin to 7-3. Andrew Ezell recorded his first collegiate hit in the contest, while Salvy Alvarez added his first hit of the season earlier in the game.
Florida added solo home runs in the sixth to extend the lead to 9-3. Neither team scored over the final three innings.
Freshman Brendan Walker (0-1) made the start for Stetson. Jose Roig was a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit while striking out two. Joel Core also delivered 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Despite the loss, Stetson pitchers limited Florida to 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position and combined for eight strikeouts.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Stetson recorded 10 hits in the contest.
- The Hatters' highest-scoring inning was the third (2 runs).
- Stetson left 10 runners on base.
- Florida's six-run second inning proved decisive.
- Renzo Gonzalez hit Stetson's first home run of the season.
- Andrew Ezell recorded his first collegiate hit.
- Salvy Alvarez notched his first hit of the season.
- Stetson pitchers struck out eight and held Florida to .200 with runners in scoring position.
UP NEXT
Stetson returns home to Melching Field at Conrad Park on Friday for the start of another busy weekend. The Hatters will start with North Dakota State at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening in DeLand.For tickets, live stats and complete coverage, visit GoHatters.com.
FOLLOW THE HATTERS
Stay up to date with Stetson Baseball all season long by following the Hatters on social media and visiting GoHatters.com for recaps, highlights and behind-the-scenes coverage.
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.
