CARROLLTON, Ga. — It was a historic Sunday in more ways than one.
Stetson rallied from an early five-run deficit and erased another late deficit in extra innings, defeating the West Georgia Wolves baseball 13-11 in 10 innings at Cole Field to complete the program's first ASUN series sweep of the season while delivering Head Coach Steve Trimper his 300th career victory at Stetson.
The Hatters (18-25, 9-11 ASUN) scored 43 runs across the three-game set, won their second conference series of the year — both against West Georgia — and made a major move in the ASUN standings as postseason positioning begins to tighten.
It also marked Stetson's third consecutive game scoring 13 or more runs, the first time the Hatters have done so in conference play this season.
Trailing 5-0 after two innings, Stetson refused to fold.
The Hatters broke through in the fifth with RBI singles from Daniel Napolitano and Foster Apple before exploding for six runs in the sixth inning. Landon Russell highlighted the rally with a two-run double, while Yohann Dessureault added an RBI triple as Stetson stormed back to tie the game at 8-8.
West Georgia answered with three runs in the bottom half to reclaim an 11-8 lead, but the Hatters kept punching.
Stetson drew within two in the seventh, then evened the game in the eighth when Renzo Gonzalez lined a two-run single to score Russell and Dessureault.
With the game tied entering the 10th, the Hatters struck again. After back-to-back singles to open the inning, Gonzalez drove in the go-ahead run with a groundout before Jack Harley added insurance with an RBI single to make it 13-11.
The bullpen took it from there.
Thrasher Steed earned his first collegiate victory with 1.1 shutout innings and two strikeouts, while Zane Coppersmith added a scoreless frame to help close out the sweep.
Harley led a 19-hit barrage with four hits, including two doubles, while seven Hatters produced multi-hit games and every Stetson starter reached base safely.
The win not only capped a statement weekend, it added another milestone to Trimper's decorated tenure in DeLand.
"We talk all the time as a team about how important it is to win your weekend series, and getting a sweep is a tremendous help in the standings," Head Coach Steve Trimper said. "Our team responded really well to some adversity this weekend. It was extremely good to see our bats continue to stay hot, and we need to carry that down the stretch. I'm very proud of all of our Hatter men."
KEY PERFORMERS
- Jack Harley — 4-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
- Landon Russell — 2 hits, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs
- Yohann Dessureault — 2 hits, triple, RBI
- Daniel Napolitano — 2 hits, 2 RBI
- Renzo Gonzalez — 3 RBI, game-tying two-run single in eighth
- Thrasher Steed — 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K (Win)
GAME NOTES
- Steve Trimper earned his 300th career win at Stetson
- Stetson completed its first ASUN series sweep of the season
- The Hatters scored 43 runs in the three-game series
- Stetson has scored 13 or more runs in three straight games
- Every Stetson starter reached base safely Sunday
- Seven Hatters recorded multi-hit games
- The Hatters totaled 19 hits and out-hit West Georgia 19-13
- Stetson improved to 9-11 in ASUN play and gained ground in the conference race
- The sweep marks Stetson's second conference series win this season
UP NEXT
Stetson returns to action Tuesday, April 29, when the Hatters face the UCF Knights baseball in a neutral-site matchup at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, home of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, in Lakeland, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Fans can stay up to date throughout the week by following Stetson Baseball on social media and visiting GoHatters.com for schedules, live stats, streaming information and complete coverage.
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.
