DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson dropped game two of its ASUN Conference opening series Saturday night, falling to North Florida 12–1 in seven innings at Melching Field at Conrad Park. The loss evened the series at one game apiece heading into Sunday's finale.
North Florida struck first in the opening inning, plating two runs to take an early lead before the Hatters responded in the bottom half. Juan De la Cruz led off with a double to left field to spark the Stetson offense and later came home on a sacrifice fly by Foster Apple, trimming the deficit to 2–1 after the first inning.
The Ospreys broke the game open in the second inning, stringing together several hits and three home runs during a six-run frame to extend their lead to 8–1.
Stetson's pitching staff settled in after the early surge. Freshman Thomas Achey delivered two strong innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit while striking out two and keeping North Florida off the board during his outing.
The Hatters generated a handful of scoring opportunities but were unable to piece together the hits needed to chip away at the deficit. North Florida added two runs in the third inning and two more in the seventh to secure the run-rule victory.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Juan De la Cruz recorded Stetson's lone extra-base hit with a double.
- Freshman Thomas Achey tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
- Stetson and North Florida are now tied 1–1 in the ASUN-opening series.
- The Hatters recorded four hits in the game.
NEXT UP
Stetson and North Florida will meet in the rubber match of the ASUN-opening series Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at Melching Field. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available on GoHatters.com.
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.
