DELAND, Fla. — Stetson opened the scoring early but was unable to hold off North Florida on Sunday, falling 4–1 in the rubber match of the ASUN Conference opening series at Melching Field at Conrad Park.

The Hatters (9–12, 1–2 ASUN) struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Renzo Gonzalez led off with a single before Foster Apple followed with another base hit. Yohann Dessureault then lined an RBI single to right field, bringing Gonzalez home to give Stetson a 1–0 lead.

North Florida (10–11, 2–1 ASUN) broke through in the fifth inning, taking advantage of a pair of errors to plate three unearned runs and take the lead. After a double and a walk set the table, Mitchell Collins drew a bases-loaded walk before Matthew Farner delivered a two-run single to center to put the Ospreys ahead 3–1.

The Hatters' pitching staff kept the game within reach for much of the afternoon. Junior right-hander Trace Hartman started and worked 4.1 innings, allowing just two runs — both unearned — on three hits while striking out two. Connor Ball followed with 2.1 innings of relief, allowing one run on one hit, and Andrew Lepine closed out the final two innings.

North Florida added an insurance run in the ninth when Santiago Ordonez reached on a throwing error and later scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 4–1.

Stetson finished the day with five hits but was unable to generate another scoring rally after the first inning as North Florida secured the series victory.

KEY PERFORMERS

• Yohann Dessureault — 1-for-3, RBI, walk
• Renzo Gonzalez — single, run scored
• Foster Apple — single, hit by pitch
• Trace Hartman — 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (0 ER), 2 K
• Connor Ball — 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K
• Landon Russell — six defensive assists at shortstop

GAME NOTES

• Stetson scored its lone run in the first inning.
• All four North Florida runs were unearned.
• Hatters pitchers held the Ospreys to 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
• Stetson recorded five hits in the game.
• Landon Russell recorded six assists from the shortstop position.
• North Florida claimed the series two games to one.

NEXT UP
Stetson returns to action Tuesday night with a road matchup against the No. 5 Florida Gators in Gainesville. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., with the game streaming live on SEC Network+.

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.