The Hatters (5-2) dropped a 9-0 decision to 10th-ranked Georgia earlier on Friday and earned a split on the first day of the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.

Smith's RBI single in the top of the eighth inning against Charleston (3-3) gave Stetson its third lead of the game at 4-3. Hutto (3-0) then pitched out of first-and-third, no outs situation in the bottom of the eighth to preserve the victory.

"It was a real roller coaster ride," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said. "It just came down to the last out and we pulled it out. I am really proud of the team, especially of my freshman pitcher Brooke. I thought she showed a lot of composure. She would get runners on base but she would get out of it. I think there a lot of great things to come from that young lady."

Hutto worked out of trouble in the final frame by getting a short fly ball to left field, followed by a roller to second where Jessie TenBroeck cut down the potential tying run at the plate. Then with two outs, Hutto fielded a sharp grounder off the bat of Kelly Sinclair, and redeemed an earlier throwing error to first by making a solid underhand toss to Smith to end the game.

"I was glad to see that she shortened the distance (to first base)," Griffin said about the last play. "We talked after that inning when she made the error. I told her she can throw overhand, but if you are going to throw underhand you have to shorten the distance."

Jessica Griffin went 2-for-3 with three RBI to lead the offense. Her two-out, two-run double in the top of the sixth gave Stetson a 3-1 lead.  

TenBroeck and Smith also registered two hits apiece. The Hatters collected eight hits in the game and 10 hits on the day.

"I thought offensively we could have done better, but we had clutch hits when we needed them," Frank Griffin said. "We played well enough to win."

Curstin Taylor pitched 3.1 innings against Georgia (6-0) in her collegiate debut. Chelsea Hostetler pitched 1.2 innings of relief.

The Citrus Classic continues Saturday as the Hatters will face UAB and Stephen F. Austin.

Notes: Hutto threw 146 pitches in the complete-game victory to improve to 3-0. Her scoreless streak ended at 15.2 innings ... Jessica Griffin threw out two potential basestealers in the bottom of the fifth inning. The double was the 30th of her career ... Kelsey Waters preceeded that at-bat with a 10-pitch walk, fouling off numerous two-strike pitches ... A meeting between Charleston and Stetson in 2014 also went eight innings, but the Cougars won that game 3-2 ... Stetson has never met UAB, Stephen F. Austin, or Sunday's opponent, Missouri.