Friday night's opener will feature Anime Night at the ballpark, while Saturday will honor those who have served during Military Appreciation Night.
Stetson enters conference play riding momentum following a week highlighted by a historic road split against then-No. 5/6 Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks had not lost or split a non-conference series in over a decade prior to the Hatters' performance at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Hatters capped the series with a 6-4 victory on Monday, marking the third-largest upset of the Steve Trimper era and the program's second-largest road upset under the veteran head coach. Only Stetson's 12-4 victory over No. 3 Miami in Coral Gables during the 2022 season ranks higher among road wins in Trimper's tenure. It was also the first time the Hatters defeated a ranked team in back-to-back games since their series win over #15 Liberty in that same season.
Pitching played a major role in the series success. Trace Hartman delivered a standout performance in Sunday's 4-1 victory, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing just one run and helping secure the program's first-ever win over Arkansas. Hartman leads the Hatters in innings pitched with 20.2 and carries a 1.31 ERA with 17 strikeouts and just three earned runs allowed this season.
Connor Ball followed with a dominant outing in Monday's win, striking out eight batters across 5.2 innings while allowing only one unearned run to secure the victory. Andrew Lepine also played a key role during the series, appearing in nine games this season and recording a pair of saves against the Razorbacks.
Stetson carried that momentum back to DeLand on Wednesday night with a 16-6 run-rule victory over Prairie View A&M at Melching Field. The Hatters erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to end the game early, with Landon Russell leading the offense with three hits and four RBIs while every Stetson starter reached base safely in the win.
At the plate, the Hatters have been led by leadoff hitter Juan De la Cruz, who is batting a team-best .340 while swiping 11 stolen bases. Landon Russell, Foster Apple, and Renzo Gonzalez have also been key contributors, each batting above .300 with more than 20 hits, at least 10 RBIs, and a home run, with Apple's homer coming during the series victory over Arkansas.
Yohann Dessureault, another .300-plus hitter in the lineup, is tied with Jayden Hylton for the team lead with three home runs. Both sluggers connected for long balls during the Arkansas series.
On the mound, the Hatters continue to rely on a steady weekend rotation featuring James Hays and Ethan Phillips, while the bullpen has provided strong depth throughout the early portion of the season.
North Florida enters the weekend with an 8-10 record. The Ospreys have dropped five consecutive games and are 1-4 away from home this season. UNF was recently swept on the road at Alabama before falling to Bethune-Cookman earlier this week.
Offensively, Sean Benjamin leads the Ospreys with a .356 batting average, going 21-for-59 with 10 RBIs and six doubles. Mathew Farner has also been a major power threat, batting .328 with 21 hits, six home runs, three doubles, and 17 RBIs.
As a team, North Florida is hitting .268 with 17 home runs, 115 RBIs, and 129 runs scored while posting a 93-to-168 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
The Ospreys utilize an opener-style pitching approach. As a staff, UNF holds a 5.98 ERA while allowing 151 hits and 99 earned runs. The staff has issued 85 walks and recorded 163 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .261 batting average.
Stetson holds a 44-37 advantage in the all-time series against North Florida and has won five of the last six meetings between the programs. The Hatters claimed the most recent matchup with a 16-3 victory on April 27, 2025. The first meeting between the programs dates back to April 4, 1988, when UNF claimed a 14-9 win.
All three games this weekend will be streamed on ESPN+, with live statistics available on GoHatters.com.
Fans can stay up to date with the latest news, scores, and schedule updates by following Stetson Baseball on social media and by visiting GoHatters.com. With the potential for inclement weather throughout the weekend, game times are subject to change, so fans are encouraged to monitor Stetson's social media channels and the official website for the most current information.
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.
