JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stetson answered with a strong all-around performance Sunday afternoon, using timely hitting and a solid effort on the mound to defeat the North Florida Ospreys baseball 7-3 at Harmon Stadium.
The Hatters (15-24, 6-11 ASUN) jumped out early and never trailed, snapping a two-game skid in the series and closing the weekend on a high note.
Stetson wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Renzo Gonzalez sparked the offense with a triple to right-center and later came around to score, giving the Hatters an early 1-0 advantage. North Florida responded with a solo home run to even the score, but Stetson quickly regained control.
In the second inning, Jack Harley delivered a key swing, launching a two-run home run to center field to put the Hatters back in front, 3-1.
The Ospreys cut into the lead with a run in the second, but Stetson broke the game open in the fifth. Landon Russell drove in a run with a double before Gonzalez reached on a play that brought home two more runs, extending the lead to 6-2.
North Florida added a run in the sixth, but Stetson's pitching staff shut the door from there. Yohann Dessureault provided insurance in the eighth with a solo home run to push the lead to 7-3.
On the mound, Connor Ball delivered a strong start, working 5.1 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and striking out five. The bullpen took over from there, as Thomas Achey and Dallis Moran combined for 3.2 scoreless innings to secure the win. Moran closed the game with a dominant outing, striking out three over 1.1 hitless innings to earn the save.
Dessureault also etched his name in the record book, setting the program record with his 49th career hit-by-pitch earlier in the game.
KEY PERFORMERS
- Connor Ball: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 5 K
- Jack Harley: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
- Yohann Dessureault: HR, RBI
- Dallis Moran: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K, Save
- Renzo Gonzalez: 1-for-4, 3 RBI, triple, 2 runs
GAME NOTES
- Stetson scored first and never trailed
- Hatters hit two home runs (Harley, Dessureault)
- Stetson scored three runs in the fifth inning
- Hatters pitching limited North Florida to 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position
- Stetson struck out 10 Ospreys hitters
- The Hatters drew six walks
- Dessureault set the program record with his 49th career hit-by-pitch
UP NEXT
Stetson returns home to host the South Florida Bulls on Tuesday night at Melching Field with a 6:30 PM 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.
