TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stetson showed flashes on both sides of the ball Tuesday night but was unable to overcome a big seventh inning, falling 9-2 to No. 8 Florida State Seminoles baseball at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.
The Hatters (14-22) totaled seven hits and struck out 10 Seminole hitters on the mound, but defensive miscues and a late surge by Florida State proved to be the difference.
Florida State opened the scoring in the first inning, taking advantage of a walk and a pair of advances before plating an unearned run. The Seminoles added to their lead in the third with a three-run home run to move ahead 4-0.
Stetson answered in the third inning, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to get on the board. Juan De La Cruz delivered an RBI single to right field, bringing the Hatters within 4-1.
The Hatters continued to compete and chipped away again in the sixth. After Landon Russell reached scoring position, Samuel Fernandez lined a single through the left side to cut the deficit to 4-2.
On the mound, Ethan Phillips turned in an impressive outing, striking out seven over four innings while allowing just two earned runs on two hits. The right-hander worked around traffic and kept Stetson within striking distance through the early frames.
Brendan Walker followed with a strong relief effort, tossing two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out two. Thrasher Steed also added a scoreless outing out of the bullpen as Stetson's staff held Florida State quiet through the middle innings.
The Seminoles broke the game open in the seventh, capitalizing on a pair of doubles and timely hitting to plate five runs and extend the lead to 9-2.
Despite the final margin, Stetson continued to generate quality at-bats against a nationally ranked opponent, highlighted by multi-hit performances from De La Cruz and Fernandez.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Stetson recorded seven hits on the night
- Hatters pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts
- Stetson held Florida State scoreless from the fourth through sixth innings
- De La Cruz recorded his team-leading 12th multi-hit game
- Fernandez notched his seventh multi-RBI game of the season
- Stetson committed four errors leading to multiple unearned runs
UP NEXT
Stetson returns to ASUN play this weekend with a three-game road series against the North Florida Ospreys in Jacksonville. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, followed by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
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
