DELAND, Fla. — Fresh off a 3-0 weekend at Melching Field, Stetson returns home this week beginning Wednesday against USC Upstate before hosting Fordham for a three-game series — now highlighted by a Saturday doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m. and Bark at the Park festivities throughout the day.

Fans are invited to bring their dogs out to the ballpark Saturday as the Hatters continue their early-season homestand. Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 2:00 p.m., with Game 2 to follow. Sunday's series finale remains as scheduled.

Stetson entered 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 continues to find its rhythm.

Fernandez is coming off a breakout stretch in which he went 4-for-10 with two home runs and eight RBIs. Yohann Dessureault provided a four-hit performance Sunday that included two doubles and a home run, while Renzo Gonzalez has remained a steady presence in the middle of the lineup with timely extra-base production.

The pitching staff has also shown signs of settling in, pairing length from its starters with strikeout ability out of the bullpen.

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.

ON THE BUMP
Fordham's projected starters are:

• Game 1: LHP Beau Elson (1-0, 4.22 ERA, 10.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 BB, 13 K)

• Game 2: RHP Chase Hanawalt (0-2, 29.25 ERA, 4.0 IP, 13 ER, 10 BB, 3 K)

• Game 3: RHP Aiden Dowd (0-1, 9.95 ERA, 6.1 IP, 7 ER, 3 BB, 10 K)

As a staff, the Rams hold a 16.38 ERA while opponents are hitting .381.

Stetson is 3-0 all-time against Fordham, including a 9-1 victory in DeLand in 2024.

The Hatters' projected rotation for the weekend:

• Game 1 (Saturday): RHP James Hays (1-0, 3.68 ERA, 7.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K)

• Game 2 (Saturday): RHP Ethan Phillips (0-1, 4.00 ERA, 9.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 BB, 9 K)

• Game 3 (Sunday): RHP Brayden Toro (1-1, 11.37 ERA, 6.1 IP, 8 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)

CONCESSIONS

Wednesday, February 25
Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice, Jimmy John's

Saturday (Doubleheader), February 28
Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice, Jimmy John's

Sunday, March 1
Chartwells, Tijuana Flats, Jeremiah's Ice

COVERAGE
Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's finale will be audio-only broadcasts on GoHatters.com. Live stats will be available for all 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 rotation set, and a full Saturday of baseball at Melching Field — including Bark at the Park — 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.