DeLand, Fla. -- Stetson swept an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader from Florida Gulf Coast by identical 8-1 scores Saturday afternoon at Patricia Wilson Field.
However, the way the Hatters produced those 16 runs fell at opposite ends of the spectrum.
In game one, Kelsey Waters and Courtney Brandt each hit towering home runs, and Brandt tossed a five-hitter in the circle en route to the complete-game victory.
In game two, the Hatters drew 14 walks, including seven in a row to start the game as part of a seven-run first inning. Chelsea Hostetler scattered seven hits over seven innings to win her 13th game of the year.
Stetson (21-7, 4-1 A-Sun) extended its winning streak to four, while FGCU fell to 20-18, 3-5.
"It was very important to get the sweep," Waters said after the game. "It really helps our confidence. We stuck together as a team really well."
Despite the disparity in runs scored, both teams collected 12 hits on the day.
"I was a little disappointed in our offense," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said. "We scored runs, but we didn't hit the ball well. In fact, FGCU outhit us in the second game. We didn't have our usual midweek game this week, so that might have hurt some.
"Our pitching and defense were both outstanding," Griffin added.
Stetson's defense, which entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in fielding percentage, made several strong plays throughout the afternoon. In game one, shortstop Amanda Grimaldo made a diving catch on a line drive that deflected off of Brandt's glove. Two batters later, Jazz Vasquez made a diving catch on a sinking liner to center field.
In the opener, Stetson jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Grimaldo registered a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the first. She now has seven RBI in her last five games.
Kelsey Carpenter hit the first of her two home runs on the day in the top of the second to cut Stetson's lead to 2-1.
Brandt (8-4) shut down the Eagles after that point, scattering three hits over the final five innings. She also helped her own cause at the plate, hitting a three-run home run off the top of the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Waters also hit a two-run home run to straight away center field earlier that same inning.
In the second game, the Hatters took advantage of control issues by FGCU starter Shelby Morgan, who walked all five batters she faced. Gabbee Draney came on in relief and walked the next two hitters, giving Stetson four runs without the benefit of a hit. Brittany Hawn and Jessie TenBroeck added RBI singles later in the inning as Stetson built an early 7-1 advantage.
Hostetler made the lead hold up to improve to 13-3 on the season. She has won 11 starts in a row dating back to Feb. 20.
The two teams will meet again for the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Notes: Stetson improved to 12-1 vs. FGCU at Patricia Wilson Field ... The Hatters committed one error on the day but remain with an overall fielding percentage of .984 ... The Hatters went 2-for-3 with the bases loaded to raise their bases loaded average to .522 ...Stetson is 11-1 when scoring in the first inning (the Hatters scored nine first inning runs Saturday) ... Courtney Brandt's home run was the 26th of her career (fifth all-time) ... A packed house of 525 attended the doubleheader.
