JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stetson battled throughout in a tightly contested matchup Saturday night but came up just short in a 2-1 loss to the North Florida Ospreys baseball at Harmon Stadium.
The Hatters (14-24, 5-11 ASUN) struck first and received another solid outing on the mound, but North Florida (23-15, 14-3 ASUN) used a pair of mid-game runs to slip past Stetson in a one-run decision.
Stetson wasted no time getting on the board in the opening inning. Juan De La Cruz worked a leadoff walk and advanced into scoring position before Renzo Gonzalez delivered an RBI single to center field, giving the Hatters an early 1-0 advantage.
The pitching staff held firm through the early innings behind starter Trace Hartman, who kept the Ospreys in check while working out of traffic. North Florida eventually broke through in the fourth, using a walk, a stolen base, and a single to tie the game at 1-1.
The Ospreys took the lead in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a triple and a run-scoring single to move in front 2-1.
Stetson continued to threaten, with Yohann Dessureault delivering a double in the seventh, but the Hatters were unable to bring the tying run home. North Florida's bullpen closed the door over the final frames to secure the win.
Hartman turned in another quality start, allowing just one run over 4.1 innings while striking out four. Jake Gorelick followed in relief and was charged with the loss despite a competitive outing, while Zane Coppersmith added 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
At the plate, Dessureault led the Hatters with a 2-for-4 performance, while Gonzalez drove in Stetson's lone run.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Stetson scored its lone run in the first inning
- Hatters limited North Florida to two runs on seven hits
- Dessureault recorded a multi-hit performance
- Stetson pitching staff held North Florida scoreless in five of nine innings
- The game was tied 1-1 through four innings
- Stetson dropped its second straight one-run game in the series
UP NEXT
Stetson will look to salvage the series in the finale against the North Florida Ospreys on Sunday at 1:00 PM at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville.
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.
