DeLand, Fla. - Junior pitcher Erica Demers (Miami, Fla.) came within two outs of a perfect game and completed a one-hit shutout as the Stetson softball team (18-8) defeated Liberty 5-0 in the final game of the Hatter Classic at Patricia Wilson Field. The Hatters went a perfect 4-0 on the weekend and have now won five straight and eight out of nine.
Demers retired the first 19 batters she faced before Keely McMillon singled up the middle with one out in the top of the seventh inning. After a fielder's choice and a walk, Demers retired Shannon McKain on a fly out to complete her second consecutive shutout.
"Erica kept them guessing and the defense played well behind her," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said. "She is really starting to find her groove. Amanda Lindsey is doing just as good a job and it gives us two pitchers of great caliber who are both healthy."
Defensively, Stetson has recorded five shutouts and has allowed just three runs total in its last eight games overall. "It takes a lot of pressure off of the offense," Griffin said. "We still have a lot of work to do at the plate, but I am starting to see signs of improvement."
Sophomore designated player Amanda Lindsey (Byhalia, Miss.) hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to give Stetson a 2-0 lead. Senior catcher Blythe Golden (Marianna, Fla.) singled home two more runs in the third, and junior first baseman Andrea Migliori (Winter Garden, Fla.) homered to straight away center field in the top of the sixth. She now has 10 home runs and 30 RBI on the season.
That was more than enough offense for Demers (9-2); she walked one and struck out five en route to her ninth win of the season. Liberty (2-10-1) fell 4-1 to Presbyterian in earlier game on Sunday.
The Hatters will play the Flames again in a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Patricia Wilson Field. Stetson fans can tune into www.gohatters.com, the official online home of Stetson Athletics, for live stats, video and audio provided by Jamie Bataille, the Voice of Hatter Fastpitch.
