Stetson begins a challenging stretch away from DeLand this week, opening a five-game road trip Tuesday night with a 6:00 p.m. matchup at South Florida before traveling to Fayetteville for a four-game series against Arkansas from March 6–9. All starting pitching matchups for the week are currently listed as TBD.
The Hatters enter the week 5-7 overall after securing a 2-1 weekend series victory over Fordham at Melching Field.
Week in Review
Stetson's series win over the Rams featured timely offense and dominant pitching performances.
Senior Jayden Hylton delivered a breakout showing in Saturday's doubleheader. After entering the weekend still searching for his first hit of the season, Hylton erupted for a 4-for-5 performance in game one, blasting two home runs — including a grand slam — and adding a double while scoring three runs. He finished the week 5-for-15 (.333), providing a major spark in the lineup.
On Sunday, junior Trace Hartman anchored the series-clinching 7-3 win with six shutout innings in relief. Hartman allowed just one hit and struck out six to earn the victory. Across two appearances last week, he logged 9.0 innings, surrendered just one earned run on three hits, walked two, and struck out nine while holding opposing hitters to a .107 batting average.
The Hatters showed balance throughout the weekend, combining power at the plate with steady bullpen work to secure the series.
Tuesday: Stetson at South Florida
March 3 | 6:00 PM | Tampa, Fla.
South Florida enters the matchup at 9-3 overall after taking a 2-1 series at UCF in the War on I-4. The Bulls are 7-1 at home this season, with their lone loss coming against Illinois on Opening Weekend.
USF has outscored opponents 91-74 through 12 games and features consistent offensive production. Ryan Pruitt leads the team in hits, runs, RBIs, total bases, and walks while reaching base in every game this season. Nathan Earley has reached safely in nine consecutive games, and Michael Senay recently earned American Conference Pitcher of the Week Honorable Mention recognition.
Stetson holds a 25-21 edge in the all-time series and has won five straight against the Bulls. South Florida is 12-11 at home in the series, with its last home win over the Hatters coming in 2021.
Tuesday marks the start of Stetson's extended road trip.
March 6–9: Four Games at Arkansas
Fayetteville, Ark.
Friday – 6:00 PM
Saturday – 2:00 PM
Sunday – 1:00 PM
Monday – 12:00 PM
The Hatters continue the road swing with a four-game series against Arkansas, which enters the week at 9-3 and hosts Oral Roberts in a midweek contest prior to the series.
Arkansas has been productive offensively, batting .282 as a team with 113 hits, 20 home runs, and 73 RBIs. Camden Kozeal has paced the Razorbacks, hitting .381 through 11 games with a team-high 16 hits, including six home runs, two doubles, a triple, and 16 RBIs.
On the mound, Arkansas has been dominant. Colin Fisher is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, including a complete game. Over 19.0 innings, he has allowed just seven hits with three walks and 26 strikeouts. Cole Gibler has provided strong relief work, tossing 11.1 innings while allowing just one run and striking out 13.
Gabe Gaeckle and Hunter Dietz have each made three starts and hold 1-1 records while surpassing 20 strikeouts on the season.
As a staff, the Razorbacks own a 2.83 ERA across 105 innings, allowing just 69 hits and 33 earned runs with 30 walks and 137 strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .184 against Arkansas pitching.
The series presents one of Stetson's toughest early-season tests, matching the Hatters against a nationally competitive SEC opponent in a four-game set. The Hatters have never met the Razorbacks in a game before, this will be there first meeting.
Stetson will look to carry momentum from its weekend series victory into a demanding week that features five games in six days against two strong opponents.
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.
