The Stetson Hatters are back on the national stage, and this time, they're packing their bags for a longer road trip. After clinching their sixth ASUN title last weekend, the Hatters (36-20, 18-6 ASUN) are headed to the Tallahassee Regional for their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 12 years. In their previous two trips to the big dance—2007 and 2014—they traveled less than two hours northwest to Gainesville for Regionals hosted by the Florida Gators. But this year, they'll stay on the bus a little longer, bound for a showdown with the Florida State Seminoles.

Stetson will open the bracket against the Seminoles on May 15 at noon, with either UCF or Jacksonville State waiting in the wings. The Hatters already faced UCF this spring, falling 5-3 on April 15, but they have postseason history on their side—their lone NCAA Tournament victory came against the Knights back in 2014. This year's lineup is powered by ASUN Player of the Year Nicole Edmiaston. The junior first baseman has rewritten the team record book with 22 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 147 total bases, while carrying a .465 batting average and a staggering 1.499 OPS. In the circle, Ava Braswell anchors the staff with 37 appearances and 152⅔ innings pitched, boasting a 3.03 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and a 19-10 record.

Regardless of how the tournament unfolds, Stetson will finish the season over .500 for the first time since 2018—a milestone that speaks to the program's resurgence. But they'll face a formidable opponent in Florida State, which ranks among the top 10 batting teams in the country. Leading the charge is junior shortstop Isa Torres, the reigning ACC Player of the Year. She's hitting .542 (third nationally), with 90 total hits (fourth), a .605 on-base percentage (fourth), and a record-setting streak of 16 consecutive hits. Torres sets the tone for a lineup rounded out by fellow juniors Jaysoni Beachum and Ashtyn Danley, who leads the Seminoles with 111 RBIs. Beachum, with 101 RBIs, ranks 16th in the country in walks per game (.89). It's a tall order for the Hatters, but after a 12-year drought, they're ready to make every moment count.