FGCU led Stetson 6-5 in the seventh inning when a rain delay came, which lasted over six hours. The game was never resumed, as the Atlantic Sun was forced to cancel the game and declare both teams co-tournament winners, despite FGCU being named the winner of Sunday’s game.
However, Stetson was declared the ASUN’s automatic qualifier to the 2025 NCAA baseball tournament, as announced by Atlantic Sun Conference commissioner after the game was called.
‘Despite tremendous efforts, we were unable to complete the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Baseball Tournament due to inclement weather,’ ASUN commissioner Jeff Bacon said in a statement. ‘Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has been declared the winner of today’s first championship game and, with FGCU and Stetson University (Stetson) having a 1-1 record versus each other, both FGCU and Stetson will be recognized as 2025 ASUN co-tournament champions.
‘Per ASUN policy, Stetson University will be awarded our 2025 automatic qualifier. Congratulations to both teams for an outstanding season, and best wishes to the Hatters as they continue on.’
Stetson was the No. 1 overall seed of the ASUN tournament, and had a 24-6 conference record this season compared to FGCU’s 16-14 mark. Stetson was also in the winner’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament, entering the championship with a 3-0 record (and having beaten the Eagles in the second round of the winner’s bracket 5-4 on May 22).
That meant FGCU (3-1 in tournament play) would have needed to beat the Hatters a second time to win the automatic qualifier from the ASUN. An email sent to the Atlantic Sun asking for clarification on the policy was not immediately returned to the USA TODAY Sports Network.
Stetson now awaits its name to be called on Monday, when the full 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field will be revealed.
