CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stetson Baseball punched its ticket to next week's ASUN Championship Tournament in DeLand on Thursday night, defeating Queens Royals baseball 2-0 at The Stick behind a dominant combined shutout from Joel Core and Connor Ball.
With the victory, the Hatters improved to 22-30 overall and 12-15 in ASUN play while officially clinching the final spot in the ASUN Championship Tournament, which begins Tuesday at Melching Field.
Stetson broke through in the sixth inning after a scoreless pitchers' duel through the opening five frames.
Ren Gonzalez opened the inning by launching a solo home run to right field to give the Hatters a 1-0 advantage. Later in the inning, Jayden Hylton reached on an error and advanced to third before Samuel Fernandez delivered an RBI single up the middle to extend the lead to 2-0.
That was all the support the Hatters' pitching staff would need.
Joel Core turned in one of his strongest outings of the season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out two. Connor Ball followed with 4.2 shutout innings of relief to earn the victory, surrendering only one hit the rest of the way.
The shutout marked one of Stetson's strongest pitching performances of conference play and secured the program's postseason berth heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
GAME NOTES
- Stetson clinched a spot in the 2026 ASUN Championship Tournament with the win
- The ASUN Championship begins Tuesday at Melching Field in DeLand
- Joel Core and Connor Ball combined on a four-hit shutout
- Stetson allowed just four hits and three walks all night
- The Hatters out-hit Queens 7-4
- Stetson scored both runs in the sixth inning
- Ren Gonzalez delivered the game-winning home run
- Connor Ball earned his third win of the season
KEY PERFORMERS
Joel Core
4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 K
Ren Gonzalez
1-for-4, HR, RBI
UP NEXT
Stetson and Queens continue the series Friday night in Charlotte as the Hatters look to build momentum heading into next week's ASUN Championship Tournament in DeLand.
Fans can follow Stetson Baseball on social media and visit GoHatters.com for scores, updates and tournament coverage throughout the weekend.
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.
