Nashville, Tenn. -- The Hatters may have been down to their final out, but they weren't ready to call it a weekend.
Amanda Grimaldo hit a game-saving two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, and Demi Meza hit a game-winning three-run home run in the top of the eighth as Stetson rallied for a 6-3 victory over Lipscomb Sunday afternoon at Draper Diamond.
The Hatters (19-7, 2-1 Atlantic Sun) took the rubber game of the three-game series with the Lady Bisons (12-16, 1-2) and moved into sole possession of second place in the league standings.
"We showed a lot of character," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said. "We had every reason to fold and give up, but we didn't. I couldn't be any prouder of the team."
The Hatters had yet to manage a run or a hit against Lipscomb starter Kelly Young through the first five innings, but Brittany Hawn took care of both with a lead-off home run in the top of the sixth to cut Lipscomb's lead to 2-1.
In the seventh, Meza singled to lead off the frame, and later stole second with two outs. Grimaldo, who had the game-winning hit in last year's A-Sun championship on the same field, stepped up and delivered again.
"Honestly, I kind of felt like I was in last year's position once again, even though the bases weren't loaded," Grimaldo said. "I feel like I am at my best under pressure. The whole dugout was cheering for me, and I thought, 'I got this.'"
Grimaldo lined a 1-1 pitch over the fence in left to give Stetson a 3-2 lead. It was her first home run of the year.
"I had a great feeling (Grimaldo) was going to come through," Meza said. "The team was so excited, and it brought us together even more."
Lipscomb then mounted a late rally of its own as Brittany Elmore singled home Becca Dean with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game 3-3. Elmore, who had been a perfect 24-for-24 in stolen bases this season, was then cut down by Jessica Griffin trying to steal her way into scoring position.
"We called a pitch out and Jessica made a perfect throw down to second," Frank Griffin said.
That sent the game to extra innings, where the Hatters mounted a one-out rally in the top of the eighth. Molly Shasteen singled and moved to second on another single by Jazz Vasquez. After Kayla Drury rolled into a fielder's choice, Meza stepped to the plate with two outs.
"My only thought was trying to do something to help my team; anything at all to move the runners along," Meza said. "She just happened to leave one down the middle."
Meza made no mistake, crushing a three-run home run to straight away center field to give Stetson a 6-3 lead. It was her 10th home run of the season and her second of the series.
Stetson starter Chelsea Hostetler (12-3) had another strong outing, limiting Lipscomb to just three runs on seven hits. She pitched out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the second inning, and kept the Lady Bisons from extending the lead through the middle innings.
"Chelsea really settled down and kept us in the game," Frank Griffin said.
Hostetler retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth to seal the series win for Stetson.
"It doesn't feel quite like winning the championship last year, but it's pretty close," Grimaldo said. "It's our first series win on the road, and it came against a very good team in Lipscomb. I hope our team realizes how good we are and that we can compete with the rest of the conference."
Stetson will return to non-conference play with a home doubleheader against Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Notes: The last time Stetson won a game when down to its final out was against UCF in last year's NCAA Regional opener ... It was also Stetson's first extra inning game since that same contest last year ... Stetson has now hit 30 home runs on the season ... Demi Meza has hit 10 home runs in three consecutive seasons. She is just the second Hatter ever to do so (Andrea Migliori) ... The Hatters did not commit an error all weekend and now own a fielding pct. of .984 ... Coach Griffin said Kelly Young is one of the top three pitchers the team has seen this year and the win should be a good confidence booster. He also said Molly Shasteen's hit was a huge factor in Stetson's 3-run eighth inning.
