DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson mounted a determined comeback effort Tuesday night, but a four-run early deficit proved too much to overcome as the Hatters fell 6-5 to the South Florida Bulls at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
The Hatters (15-25) chipped away throughout the middle innings and had chances late, but South Florida (28-12) held on in a tightly contested midweek matchup.
The Bulls struck first in the opening inning, taking advantage of a walk and productive outs to push across the game's first run. South Florida extended its lead in the second, capitalizing on a pair of hits and situational hitting to plate three more runs and build a 4-0 advantage.
Stetson responded in the third inning with its first spark of offense. Juan De La Cruz reached base to start the rally, and Landon Russell followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position. Renzo Gonzalez delivered the big hit, lining a two-RBI single to cut the deficit in half at 4-2.
South Florida answered in the fifth, using a two-out rally to tack on a pair of runs and extend the lead to 6-2. Once again, the Hatters had a response.
In the bottom half of the inning, Stetson strung together quality at-bats. After working traffic on the bases, Yohann Dessureault came through with a two-RBI single to bring the Hatters back within striking distance at 6-4.
The Hatters continued to apply pressure in the sixth. Foster Apple led off the inning with a double and advanced into scoring position before eventually crossing the plate on a sacrifice bunt from Jack Harley, trimming the deficit to 6-5.
From there, Stetson's pitching staff kept the game within reach. After allowing six runs through the first five innings, the bullpen combination of Andrew Lepine, T.J. Melani, and Brayden Toro held South Florida scoreless over the final four frames. Toro highlighted the effort, tossing two shutout innings while allowing just one hit.
Stetson threatened in the late innings but was unable to push across the tying run, as South Florida closed out the one-run victory.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Stetson scored five unanswered runs after trailing 6-2
- Hatters plated two runs in both the third and fifth innings
- Stetson went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position
- The Hatters drew five walks
- Stetson pitching held South Florida scoreless over the final four innings
- Toro delivered two shutout innings out of the bullpen
UP NEXT
Stetson returns to ASUN play this weekend with a three-game road series against the West Georgia Wolves baseball in Carrollton, Ga. First pitch is set for Friday at 6:00 p.m., followed by Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
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.
