DeLand, Fla. -- Twenty-nine games into the season, the Hatters have hit six grand slams.
Junior Jessica Griffin hit her second slam of the year and freshman Jazz Vasquez recorded her first career home run as Stetson completed a three-game series sweep over Florida Gulf Coast with an 8-3 victory Sunday afternoon at Patricia Wilson Field.
The Hatters (22-7, 5-1 A-Sun) extended their winning streak to five and kept pace with conference leader USC Upstate (8-1 A-Sun) in the league standings.
FGCU fell to 20-19, 3-6.
"Those were three big wins," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said about the series sweep. "I thought our defense was exceptional, I thought our pitchers did a good job, and we had some timely hits."
Stetson's first timely hit came in the bottom of the first inning with the Eagles already leading 2-0. The Hatters had runners at second and third with one out when FGCU walked Kelsey Waters intentionally to load the bases for Jessica Griffin. The Hatter catcher then deposited a 1-2 pitch over the rightcenter field fence to put Stetson ahead 4-2.
"It felt absolutely amazing," Jessica Griffin said. "I just wanted to come through so bad for my team. (The intentional walk) was a great motivation for me, and I am glad I could come through."
The Hatters maintained the 4-2 advantage through the bottom of the fifth inning when Brittany Hawn lined a two-out, two-run double into the gap to extend the Hatters' lead to 6-2. Vasquez then drove a home run over the left field fence to put the game out of reach.
"It was awesome," Vasquez said about her first career long ball. "I have been waiting for it, and of course, it comes out of nowhere. I wasn't expecting to hit a home run today, but it felt really nice."
Stetson split the game between two pitchers, with Courtney Brandt working the first three innings, and Chelsea Hostetler (14-3) pitching the final four to earn her 14th win of the season. Neither pitcher walked a batter, and each struck out one.
For the series, Stetson's pitchers allowed only five runs, and four of those came early in each game.
"They were struggling a little bit in the beginning, but they saw what they were doing and they made great adjustments," Jessica Griffin about the pitchers. "I am really proud of them."
Stetson will remain at home next weekend for a three-game series against Kennesaw State. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday and as single game on Saturday.
Notes: Stetson improved to 13-1 against FGCU at Patricia Wilson Field ... With the bases loaded this year, Jessica Griffin is 5-for-7 with two grand slams and 17 RBI ... The Hatters scored 13 first inning runs in the series. They have outscored their opponents 44-15 in first innings this year ... Stetson's team fielding percentage stands at .983.
