DELAND, Fla. — Fresh off a 3-0 weekend at Melching Field, Stetson returns home for a four-game week beginning Wednesday against USC Upstate before hosting Fordham for a three-game series — highlighted by Friday night's Bark at the Park promotion.
Fans are invited to bring their dogs out to the ballpark Friday evening as the Hatters continue their early-season homestand. First pitch for the Fordham opener is set for 6:30 p.m., with Wednesday's midweek contest against USC Upstate also scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Stetson enters the week riding momentum after sweeping North Dakota State, Virginia, and Monmouth. The weekend was punctuated by a dramatic walk-off win over Virginia, when true freshman catcher Samuel Fernandez delivered a clutch RBI double as a late substitution to seal the victory. One day later, the Hatters erupted for 21 hits in a 14-8 win over Monmouth — the program's highest single-game hit total since May 16, 2014, which also came against USC Upstate.
The offense has begun to find its rhythm.
Fernandez is coming off a breakout week in which he went 4-for-10 with two home runs and eight RBIs, continuing to show power and composure beyond his years. Yohann Dessureault has also been a catalyst, highlighted by a four-hit performance Sunday that included two doubles and a home run. Renzo Gonzalez remains a steady run producer in the middle of the lineup, delivering timely extra-base hits and helping Stetson jump out to early leads.
The pitching staff has quietly rounded into form as well. Over the weekend sweep, Stetson arms combined for double-digit strikeouts in multiple games, with starters providing length and the bullpen locking down high-leverage situations late. The Hatters will announce starting pitching plans later in the week.
Midweek Matchup – USC Upstate (4-4)
USC Upstate enters Wednesday's game at 4-4 overall and 1-3 on the road, coming off a dominant 17-1 run-rule victory over NJIT.
Offensively, the Spartans are hitting .324 as a team with 93 hits, 15 doubles, eight home runs, and 68 RBIs through eight games. Redshirt sophomore Maloy Heaghney has started all eight contests and is batting .455 with a team-high 15 hits, three doubles, a home run, and 10 RBIs. Jake Armsey is hitting .407 with 11 hits, 11 runs, three doubles, and two home runs, while Henry Zenor is batting .366 with 15 hits and 10 RBIs.
On the mound, Max Bianchini and Brent Stukes have each made two starts and hold 1-1 records, both logging more than eight innings with nine strikeouts apiece. As a staff, the Spartans carry a 7.12 ERA with 69 strikeouts against 33 walks.
Despite winning the Big South Championship last season, USC Upstate was picked second in the Big South Preseason Coaches' Poll. Zenor, catcher Preston Lucas, starter Chris Torres, and reliever Bianchini were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
Stetson leads the all-time series 23-12, including a 12-8 mark at home. The teams split a two-game set in DeLand last season.
Wednesday's game will be audio-only, with live stats and the broadcast link available at GoHatters.com.
Weekend Series – Fordham (1-6)
Fordham arrives in DeLand at 1-6 overall after dropping a series to UNCW last weekend and being swept in a four-game opening series at New Mexico.
The Rams are hitting .226 as a team with 47 hits, 12 doubles, six home runs, and 29 RBIs, while striking out 61 times. Anthony Grabau has been their most consistent bat, hitting .500 with 11 hits and five RBIs in seven starts.
On the mound, Beau Elson has earned Fordham's lone win and carries a 4.22 ERA across 10.2 innings with 13 strikeouts. As a staff, however, the Rams have struggled, posting a 16.38 ERA while allowing opponents to hit .381.
Fordham was selected 10th in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Stetson is 3-0 all-time against Fordham, including a 9-1 victory in DeLand in 2024.
Concessions
Wednesday, February 25
Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice, Jimmy John's
Friday, February 27
Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice, Jimmy John's
Saturday, February 28
Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice, Jimmy John's
Sunday, March 1
Chartwells, Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice
Coverage
Friday's series opener will stream on ESPN+, while Sunday's finale will air on GoHatters.com. Live stats will be available for all four games throughout the week. Fans can follow Stetson Baseball on social media for in-game updates, highlights, and postgame coverage.
With the bats heating up, the pitching settling in, and a packed week at Melching Field — including Bark at the Park on Friday night — the Hatters look to continue building momentum on their home field.
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.
