DELAND, Fla. -- Stetson put together its most complete performance of the young season Friday night, riding a five-run first inning and a pair of home runs to an 8-4 victory over North Dakota State at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
The Hatters wasted no time igniting the offense. Juan De la Cruz worked a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced into scoring position before coming home to open the scoring. With traffic on the bases, Yohann Dessureault delivered an RBI single to bring home Landon Russell. Moments later, freshman Samuel Fernandez broke the game open with a three-run home run to right field — the first of his collegiate career — giving Stetson a commanding 5-0 lead before the Bison recorded three outs.
North Dakota State responded in the second inning when Kaden Connor connected on a two-run home run to trim the deficit to 5-2, but Stetson starter James Hays settled in from there. The junior right-hander commanded the zone throughout his outing, scattering five hits over five innings while striking out seven. He walked two and threw 56 of his 80 pitches for strikes, keeping the Bison from building sustained momentum.
Stetson extended its lead in the sixth inning. De la Cruz reached base again and came around to score on Russell's RBI triple into the gap, pushing the advantage to 6-2. North Dakota State answered with a run in the top half of the inning to make it 6-3, but the Hatters maintained control.
The Bison crept closer in the eighth, narrowing the score to 6-4. Once again, Stetson responded immediately. Russell delivered the decisive swing of the night, launching a two-run home run to left field to score De la Cruz and extend the lead to 8-4.
Out of the bullpen, Dallis Moran provided 1.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, limiting traffic and bridging the game to the late innings. Trace Hartman recorded the final 2.1 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out three to secure the victory.
Offensively, De la Cruz set the tone from the top of the lineup, reaching base four times, scoring three runs and stealing two bases as part of a four-stolen-base night for the Hatters. Russell finished 2-for-4 with a triple, home run and three RBIs, while Fernandez also drove in three.
Stetson totaled eight runs on the strength of two home runs, six walks and consistent pressure on the basepaths. The pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts in the win.
The Hatters return to Melching Field on Saturday at 5 p.m. to face Virginia. The game will be streamed live on GoHatters.com, with live stats available online. Fans can follow Stetson Baseball on social media for in-game updates and postgame coverage.
KEY PERFORMERS
Landon Russell
2-for-4, HR, 3B, BB, 3 RBI
Samuel Fernandez
1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Juan De la Cruz
2-for-3, 2 BB, 3 R, 2 SB
James Hays
5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Dallis Moran
1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Trace Hartman
2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 K
GAME NOTES
» Junior James Hays struck out seven Bison hitters.
» The Hatters power output was led by Russell, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» The Stetson pitching staff combined to strike out 13 North Dakota State hitters.
» Stetson's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed five runs across.
» Stetson took a 5-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» De la Cruz stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Stetson pitchers faced 39 North Dakota State hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out 13.
» The Hatters drew six walks from North Dakota State pitching.
» Russell led the Hatters at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a triple, a home run and three RBIs.
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.
