JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A dominant outing from James Hays highlighted Friday night, but a late push from the North Florida Ospreys baseball lifted the home side to a 3-1 victory over Stetson in the series opener at Harmon Stadium.
The Hatters (14-23, 5-10 ASUN) were locked in a tight battle throughout, with Hays delivering one of his best performances of the season. The right-hander struck out a career-high 11 batters across 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on four hits to keep Stetson firmly in contention.
North Florida (22-15, 13-3 ASUN) struck first in the opening inning, using a double down the right field line to take a 1-0 lead. Stetson answered in the third, as Juan De La Cruz drove a double into the gap in left-center to score Jayden Hylton and even the game at 1-1.
From there, the game settled into a pitchers' duel. Hays continued to miss bats and work efficiently through the Ospreys lineup, while the Hatters' offense looked to break through against a strong North Florida staff.
The game remained tied into the eighth inning before North Florida capitalized on an opportunity. A leadoff double set the stage for the go-ahead run, and the Ospreys added an insurance run later in the frame to move in front 3-1.
Stetson was unable to mount a rally in the ninth, as North Florida held on to secure the series-opening win.
De La Cruz led the Hatters offensively with two hits, including his RBI double, while Yohann Dessureault also recorded a multi-hit performance.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Hays recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts
- Stetson pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts
- Hatters limited North Florida to four hits through the first seven innings
- Stetson's lone run came in the third inning
- De La Cruz recorded his team-leading multi-hit game total
- The game was tied 1-1 through seven innings
UP NEXT
Stetson continues its ASUN series against the North Florida Ospreys baseball on Saturday in Jacksonville with a 3:00 first pitch.
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.
