DELAND, Fla. —  The Stetson Hatters (3-6) battled USC Upstate (6-4) in a tight midweek matchup at Melching Field on Wednesday but fell 2-1 in a contest that came down to a seventh-inning run.

The Hatters struck first in the bottom of the opening frame. Juan De la Cruz was hit by a pitch to lead off, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Renzo Gonzalez to give Stetson an early 1-0 advantage. Despite the strong start, Stetson managed just two hits over the course of the game, leaving runners on base in multiple innings.

Junior Joel Core got the start for the Hatters and quickly showcased his command, including an immaculate inning in the top of the second, striking out all three batters on just nine pitches. Trace Hartman followed with three innings of solid relief, allowing only one run while striking out three, and Dallis Moran closed two scoreless innings, fanning three more. Connor Ball and Andrew Lepine contributed brief appearances out of the pen, keeping Stetson within reach throughout.

USC Upstate tied the game in the fourth inning when Johnny Sweeney scored on an RBI single from Kenan Bowman. The Spartans then broke the tie in the seventh, as Gage Griggs drew a walk, advanced on a stolen base, and scored on a double by Henry Zenor. Stetson's late-inning rallies fell short, including a home run by the Spartans in the ninth that was overturned for missing the bag, leaving the final score 2-1.

Renzo Gonzalez provided the team's lone RBI while also drawing a walk and stealing a base. Juan De la Cruz scored Stetson's only run and recorded a stolen base, and Sean Griggs reached base while contributing defensively with three assists.

KEY PERFORMERS

• Renzo Gonzalez – 1-for-3, RBI, walk, stolen base
• Juan De la Cruz – HBP, stolen base, run scored
• Joel Core – 3.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 K
• Trace Hartman (L, 0-1) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• Dallis Moran – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

GAME NOTES

• Stetson was limited to two hits in the contest.
• The Hatters scored their lone run in the first inning.
• Stetson pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts.
• The bullpen allowed just one earned run across 5 2/3 innings.
• USC Upstate's Henry Zenor finished 2-for-5 with the go-ahead RBI double.
• A ninth-inning Spartans home run was overturned after the runner missed first base.

NEXT UP

The Hatters remain at home this weekend to host Fordham for a three-game series at Melching Field. First pitch for Friday's opener is set for 6:30 p.m.

Live stats and streaming information will be available at GoHatters.com, with updates throughout the weekend on Stetson Baseball social media channels.

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.