DELAND, Fla. — Stetson used a five-run fourth inning and six dominant innings out of junior Trace Hartman to defeat Fordham 7-3 on Sunday afternoon at Melching Field, securing the weekend series victory.
The Rams struck first, taking advantage of early opportunities in the opening inning. Anthony Grabau lifted a sacrifice fly to score Ernie Little, and Madden Ocko followed with an RBI infield single to plate Mason Dean, giving Fordham a 2-0 lead.
Fordham added another run in the second on Tim Ford's triple and Tommy Markey's RBI single, stretching the advantage to 3-0.
The Hatters responded in the bottom half of the inning. Foster Apple reached and later came around to score on a groundout by Daniel Perez, trimming the deficit to 3-1 and shifting early momentum.
Stetson delivered the decisive blow in the fourth.
After loading the bases, Samuel Fernandez worked a bases-loaded walk to force in Apple and cut the lead to one. Cade Centracchio followed with an RBI single for his first collegiate hit in his first career start, tying the game. Corey Robinson then lifted a sacrifice fly to give the Hatters their first lead of the afternoon before Landon Russell ripped a two-RBI double to the gap, capping a five-run outburst and putting Stetson in front 6-3.
From there, it was all pitching.
Hartman (1-1) entered in relief and turned in his strongest outing of the season, firing six shutout innings while allowing just one hit, walking none, and striking out six. He mixed his pitches effectively, generated consistent swing-and-miss contact, and needed just 74 pitches to silence the Rams' lineup. Hartman also contributed defensively with four assists from the mound.
Brendan Walker added a scoreless inning in relief, allowing no hits.
Stetson added an insurance run in the sixth when Juan De la Cruz doubled to score Robinson, extending the lead to 7-3. The Hatters' bullpen and defense handled the rest, closing out the series-clinching win.
Stetson finished with eight hits and went 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position, while holding Fordham to just one hit over the final seven innings.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Stetson improves to 5-7 overall.
- The Hatters' five-run fourth inning was their highest-scoring frame of the game.
- Stetson out-hit Fordham 8-7.
- Hatters pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and did not allow a run after the second inning.
- Hartman recorded a season-high six innings pitched.
- The win secured the weekend series over the Rams.
NEXT UP
The Hatters hit the road for a midweek matchup at South Florida on Tuesday, March 3.
First Pitch: 6:00 PM
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Broadcast: ESPN+
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.
