DeLAND, Fla. — With the ASUN Conference race tightening and postseason play on the horizon, Stetson Baseball returns home this weekend for a pivotal three-game series against the FGCU Eagles at Melching Field.
First pitch is set for Friday at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. start on Saturday and a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday.
The Hatters (18-26, 9-11 ASUN) enter the weekend riding momentum after a road sweep of West Georgia, their first conference sweep of the season, before dropping a tightly contested 6-5 decision to the UCF Knights earlier this week during the TigerTown Collegiate Classic in Lakeland.
Stetson's offense erupted in the sweep over West Georgia, scoring 43 runs and producing 13 or more runs in all three games last weekend. The surge has helped the Hatters climb back into the mix in the ASUN Graphite Division standings, now sitting just one game behind FGCU entering the weekend.
Scouting the Eagles
FGCU (26-17, 10-10 ASUN) enters the series following a midweek matchup against Florida Atlantic and currently sits just ahead of Stetson in the division standings. The Eagles have been one of the top offensive teams in the conference, leading the ASUN in several key categories including batting average, hits and slugging percentage.
FGCU took two games from Stetson earlier this season in Fort Myers in a weather-shortened series.
A Familiar Matchup
The weekend marks another chapter in a tightly contested rivalry, with FGCU holding a 36-30 edge in the all-time series. The Eagles also hold a slight advantage in DeLand, making this weekend's matchup even more critical as both teams look to gain ground in the standings.
Projected Pitching Matchups
Friday: Stetson — RHP James Hays (3-2, 4.19 ERA, 58 IP, 27 ER, 17 BB, 69 K) vs. FGCU — RHP Evan Dempsey (3-2, 3.56 ERA, 65.2 IP, 26 ER, 18 BB, 91 K)
Saturday: Stetson — RHP Trace Hartman (3-4, 4.47 ERA, 44.1 IP, 22 ER, 18 BB, 39 K) vs. FGCU — TBA
Sunday: Stetson — TBA vs. FGCU — RHP Hunter Possehl (2-1, 3.67 ERA, 49 IP, 20 ER, 19 BB, 50 K)
Promotions
Friday night will feature Margaritaville Night at Melching Field, highlighted by a Pit Viper sunglasses giveaway. Supplies are limited, so fans are encouraged to arrive early.
Saturday's promotion will include the second set of 2026 Stetson Baseball Trading Cards, available while supplies last.
Coverage
Friday's game will be streamed via GoHatters.com, while Saturday and Sunday's contests will be available on ESPN+. Live stats for all three games can be found on the Stetson Baseball schedule page at GoHatters.com.
With weather potentially playing a factor throughout the weekend, fans are encouraged to follow Stetson Baseball on social media and visit GoHatters.com for the latest updates, schedule changes and 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.
