JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Freshman Samuel Fernandez delivered a breakout performance at the plate, but Stetson came up just short in a 4-3 loss to the Jacksonville Dolphins baseball Friday night at John Sessions Stadium.
The Hatters (12-19, 3-7 ASUN) received a strong effort from both their lineup and pitching staff but were unable to overcome Jacksonville's early scoring as the Dolphins held on late.
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the first inning, pushing across a run on a passed ball. Stetson answered immediately in the second when Fernandez launched a leadoff solo home run to left field on a full count, tying the game at 1-1.
The Dolphins responded in the bottom half of the inning to regain the lead and continued to apply pressure throughout the middle frames. Jacksonville added another run in the fourth to make it 3-1, but James Hays limited the damage by escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam with just the single run allowed.
Stetson threatened in both the third and fourth innings, putting runners in scoring position, but was unable to deliver the tying hit.
After Jacksonville extended its lead to 4-1 in the fifth, the Hatters began to chip away. Foster Apple ignited the sixth inning with a one-out double to left-center, and Fernandez followed with an RBI single to bring Stetson within two at 4-2.
In the ninth, Fernandez struck again, blasting a leadoff home run for his second of the night to cut the deficit to one. Jayden Hylton followed with a single to put the tying run aboard with no outs, but a strikeout and a double play ended the rally and sealed the result.
Hays (3-1) was charged with his first loss of the season despite a solid outing, tossing 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts while allowing three earned runs. Thomas Achey and Ethan Phillips combined to cover the final two innings, keeping the Hatters within striking distance.
KEY PERFORMERS
GAME NOTES
- Fernandez recorded his first career multi-home run game
- Hatters cut the deficit to one in the ninth inning
- Stetson left multiple runners in scoring position in the middle innings
- Bullpen (Achey, Phillips) combined for 2.0 scoreless innings
- Hays struck out seven and took his first loss of the season
UP NEXT
Stetson will look to avoid the sweep in the series finale against the Jacksonville Dolphins baseball on Saturday at 1 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.
