FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Behind a dominant outing from Trace Hartman and a fourth-inning power surge, Stetson stunned No. 6 Arkansas 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The victory marked the Hatters' biggest road upset under Head Coach Steve Trimper and the largest for the program since at least 1999 and one of the most significant regular-season wins during his tenure at Stetson. It's also the Hatters' first win over an SEC opponent since knocking the Alabama Crimson Tide out of the 2024 NCAA Regional while their largest overall upset came against the #4 Florida Gators in DeLand back in 2024.

Arkansas (12-4) struck first in the opening inning, using a double to bring home the game's first run and take a 1-0 lead. From there, Hartman settled in and kept one of the nation's most potent offenses in check.

Stetson (6-10) flipped the game in the fourth inning. Foster Apple ignited the rally with a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the inning, Jayden Hylton delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon, launching a three-run home run to left that scored Landon Russell and Samuel Fernandez and gave the Hatters a 4-1 lead.

From that point forward, Stetson's pitching and defense controlled the game.

Hartman worked 6.2 strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out three. The right-hander threw 101 pitches and consistently generated weak contact, holding Arkansas scoreless after the first inning.

"Obviously, Trace was outstanding today," Trimper said. "He pounded the zone and had a great three-pitch mix and kept one of the best offenses in the country at bay. We played very good defense with Landon Russell and Paul Napolitano making nice plays and of course Lepine coming in and pounding the zone and keeping the ball down so the wind didn't affect the flight."

Andrew Lepine closed the door in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit while striking out two to earn the save.

The Hatters also received key defensive contributions throughout the afternoon as they limited Arkansas to just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Trimper credited his team's response after the first two games of the series.

"The one thing we talked about on the bus last night and this morning was about our response and our attitude," Trimper said. "I challenged the guys to go out today and be physically and mentally exhausted and leave it on the field, and the guys went above and beyond."

The victory came in front of a packed crowd at Baum-Walker Stadium, an environment Trimper said resembled postseason baseball.

"Winning on the road against a top-five program in the country, especially in the SEC, is a real good testament to our guys," Trimper said. "The atmosphere was a regional-type atmosphere, and to be able to come into Fayetteville and play a quality ballgame says a lot about our guys. This might be one of the bigger regular-season wins in my tenure here at Stetson."

KEY PERFORMERS

GAME NOTES

NEXT UP

Stetson and No. 6 Arkansas conclude their four-game series on Monday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Baum-Walker Stadium. Streaming again 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.