GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Stetson (9-13) showed flashes early and battled to even things up midway through, but a decisive fourth inning proved to be the difference in a 10-1 loss at No. 18 Florida (19-3) Tuesday night at Condron Ballpark.
After falling behind 1-0 in the third, the Hatters responded with quality at-bats in the fourth. Juan De la Cruz ignited the inning with a base hit and later came around to score as Yohann Dessureault drove a two-out double down the left field line, knotting the game at 1-1 and giving Stetson a jolt of momentum.
The game turned in the bottom half of the inning, as Florida capitalized on a combination of timely hits and extended opportunities to push across six runs. Despite the swing, Stetson continued to compete, turning to its bullpen to limit further damage and settle the game over the final innings.
Brayden Toro (1-2) was charged with the loss, while the Hatters' staff combined to record six strikeouts on the night. Thrasher Steed provided a strong relief outing, working a clean inning without allowing a hit.
Offensively, Stetson generated traffic at times but was unable to string together multiple scoring innings. Dessureault's RBI double accounted for the team's lone extra-base hit, while De la Cruz continued to set the tone at the top of the lineup.
GAME NOTES
• Stetson's lone run came in the fourth inning
• Yohann Dessureault recorded the team's only extra-base hit
• Hatters pitching staff totaled six strikeouts and faced 40 batters
• Thrasher Steed tossed a scoreless inning without allowing a hit
• Stetson is now 2-4 against ranked opponents this season
KEY PERFORMERS
• Yohann Dessureault: 1-for-3, double, RBI
• Juan De la Cruz: reached base, scored run
• Thrasher Steed: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
NEXT UP
The Hatters return to Melching Field for another conference series, hosting the West Georgia Wolves for a three game slate starting at 6:30 PM on Friday. All the action will be broadcast to 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.
