ASUN baseball: Stetson celebrates NCAA Tournament trip after FGCU game
After their ASUN championship game against Florida Gulf Coast was scrapped due to bad weather, Stetson received the league’s NCAA Tournament spot.
Stetson could play two today, or its season could end.
Or both.
The third-seeded Hatters will take No. 2 North Carolina State in the NCAA Tournament at 3 p.m. Sunday. The winner advances into the Auburn Regional finals against the host Tigers at 7 p.m. The loser goes home.
Stetson has already faced the Wolfpack and Auburn. It jumped all over NC State 11-2 in the bracket opener Friday. Saturday, the Hatters fell to the Tigers 8-5.
The News-Journal is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along below.
Ryder Woodson entered the weekend with zero career home runs. He now has three in the last game and a half.
The freshman from Naples, Florida, hammered a grand slam to give NC State the lead. It was originally called a triple before a video review confirmed it landed over the wall before bouncing back into the field of play.
The Wolfpack loaded the bases with no outs, forcing Stetson to turn to reliever Justin Solimine. He walked in a run during the first batter he faced. Woodson was the second.
Ryder Woodson snatches that run right back for the Wolfpack.
He clangs a Zane Coppersmith pitch off the scoreboard for his second career home run — and second in as many days.
The Hatters added another.
With two outs and no one on base, Jordan Taylor blasted a Shaffner pitch over the wall in straightaway center field. It was Stetson’s first home run of the Regional.
Stetson welcomed new NC State reliever Jacob Dudan to the game by reclaiming the lead. The Hatters have tallied five hits and four runs in the frame. They’ve now forced the Wolfpack to go back to the bullpen.
After Landon Moran delivered a one-out, RBI single, Evan Griffis laced a two-run triple to center field. Griffis trotted home on a wild pitch.
With one out, Andrew Shaffner entered as the new pitcher.
Brayden Fraasman put the Wolfpack back in front.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, he drilled a Matthew Heyl pitch over the tall wall in left-center field for a solo home run. It was his 11th long ball of the season.
Tie game.
With two outs and Isaiah Barkett on third, Landon Moran ripped an RBI double down the right-field line. Evan Griffis followed with a single to right field to plate Moran.
With a Wolfpack runner on third and two outs in the top of the second, Stetson is making a pitching change.
Starter Dylan Jacobs leaves after 1⅔ innings. He fired a 1-2-3 first inning before giving up three runs in the second.
Sophomore lefty Matthew Heyl (2.93 ERA) is the new hurler.
The Wolfpack answer — and grab the lead.
Luke Nixon lays down a bunt to third base, and Isaiah Barkett’s throw caroms off first baseman Landon Maron’s glove into right field. That allows the first run to score.
The next batter, Brandon Novy, rips a two-run double to left field. NC State has started the frame with four straight hits.
It wasn’t the seven-run onslaught the Hatters slapped NC State with in the first inning Friday. But again, Stetson got on the board first.
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Andrews balked, inviting Isaiah Barkett home from third. Barkett led off with a soft-liner single.
After the balk, Andrews struck out Evan Griffis and got Jayden Hylton to fly out to deep right field to end the remaining threat.
They are underway at Plainsman Park.
Stetson will operate as the home team. The Wolfpack, as the road team, will hit first.
Senior right-hander Dylan Jacobs will start on the mound for the Hatters against NC State. In eight appearances (five starts) this season, he holds a 6.35 ERA across 17 innings.
The Wolfpack will turn to sophomore righty Heath Andrews (5.97 ERA).
What time does Stetson baseball vs. NC State start?
- Date: Sunday, June 1
- Time: 3 p.m. EST
- Location: Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama
What TV channel is Stetson baseball vs. NC State on today?
Who is in NCAA Tournament Auburn Regional?
- Auburn (40-18)
- North Carolina State (34-20)
- Stetson (41-21)
- Central Connecticut (31-17) — eliminated
NCAA Tournament Auburn Regional schedule, bracket
Friday, May 30
- Game 1: Stetson 11, NC State 2
- Game 2: Auburn 9, Central Connecticut State 5
Saturday, May 31
- Game 3: NC State 12, CCSU 0
- Game 4: Auburn 8, Stetson 5
Sunday, June 1
- Game 5: NC State vs. Stetson, 3 p.m.
- Game 6, Regional title: Auburn vs. Winner of Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 2 (if needed)
- Game 7: Game 6 rematch, TBD
