DeLand, Fla. -- The Stetson softball team split on the opening day of the Stetson Invitational Friday, defeating Colgate 8-6 before falling 7-2 to Providence in the nightcap.
Ashly Smith hit a two-run home run for the Hatters (9-5) against the Friars (4-3).
Against Colgate, Jessie TenBroeck went 2-for-3 with three runs and three stolen bases to lead the offense. Kayla Drury went 2-for-2 with two runs and three RBI.
Brooke Hutto (5-1) pitched seven innings to earn her fifth win of the year. She struck out Baillie Jorth with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning to end the game.
Stetson led by as much as 6-0, but Colgate cut the lead to 6-2 in the fifth and 6-5 in the sixth. The Hatters added two insurance runs in their half of the sixth, and then held on in the seventh despite the late Colgate (0-2) rally.
Against Providence, the Hatters took a 2-1 lead in the second inning when Smith smashed a two-run blast to straight away center field. It was her second home run of the year.
The Friars took a 3-2 lead in the fourth and added four insurance runs in the sixth.
Earlier in the day, Pitt defeated Colgate 7-4, Pitt defeated Southern Illinois 8-0, and Southern Illinois defeated Providence 10-0.
Stetson will host Pitt at 4:30 Saturday and Southern Illinois immediately following.
Notes: Jessie TenBroeck had a career-high eight assists vs. Colgate ... Kayla Drury made a spectacular diving stop and throw out from her knees ... Jessica Griffin cut down her sixth baserunner of the year.
