DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson turned in a strong effort on the mound but came up short against No. 7 Florida State Seminoles baseball, falling 6-3 Tuesday night at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
The Hatters (12-16) struck out 12 Seminoles on the night and showed timely offense, but Florida State (22-6) used a pair of key innings to pull away and secure the midweek victory.
Florida State opened the scoring in the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead before adding another run to make it 2-0. Stetson answered in the fourth, capitalizing on extra-base power to take its only lead of the night. Yohann Dessureault sparked the rally with a double to left-center, setting the stage for freshman Samuel Fernandez, who launched a two-run home run to deep left to give the Hatters a 2-1 advantage.
The Seminoles responded in the same inning, tying the game at 2-2 before breaking through in the sixth. A two-run home run put Florida State back in front, and the visitors added two more runs in the seventh—one on an RBI single and another on a passed ball—to extend the lead to 6-2.
Stetson continued to battle, cutting into the deficit in the seventh inning. Foster Apple delivered a clutch two-out double to bring home a run and make it 6-3, but the Hatters were unable to close the gap further.
On the mound, Brendan Walker provided a strong start, tossing two hitless innings with two strikeouts. Dallis Moran took the loss despite striking out three over 1.2 innings of work. Zane Coppersmith and Brayden Toro combined to limit further damage out of the bullpen, with Toro delivering a scoreless frame with two strikeouts. Jake Gorelick and Andrew Lepine each tossed a shutout inning of relief and registered a strikeout as well.
Fernandez led the Hatters offensively with a home run and two RBIs, while Apple added a double and an RBI. Dessureault's fourth-inning double helped ignite Stetson's offense, and Juan De La Cruz added a pair of RBIs while contributing defensively with four assists.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Stetson pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts
- Hatters went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners in scoring position
- Stetson drew four walks offensively
- Seven pitchers saw action for the Hatters
- Florida State was led by Noah Sheffield (HR, 2 RBI)
UP NEXT
Stetson returns to ASUN play with a three-game road series against the Jacksonville Dolphins baseball beginning Thursday.
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.
