DeLand, Fla. -- Tori Perkins threw a six-hit shutout and Brittany Hawn and Ashly Smith each drove in runs as Stetson defeated visiting Lipscomb 2-0 in game one of an Atlantic Sun doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Patricia Wilson Field.
The Lady Bisons won game two 9-4 behind five home runs.
With the split, the Hatters (28-19, 7-6 A-Sun) remain in fourth place in the conference standings, just percentage points behind a logjam of three teams tied for first.
Stetson and Lipscomb will play the rubber game of the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.
"I thought Tori came on and did a real good job shutting them out in the first game," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said. "We scored enough runs to win. In the second game, I felt all three pitchers who went out there just didn't have enough grit. We gave up too many long balls. The defense played well. Lipscomb is a good ball team."
In game one, Perkins (10-4) allowed just six hits - five singles and a double - en route to her 10th win of the year. The freshman right-hander walked two, struck out four, and coaxed 14 ground ball outs.
Stetson spotted Perkins a run in the fourth and a run in the fifth against Lipscomb starter Kelly Young. Hawn's two-out single to right scored Smith with the first run of the game, and Smith singled home Talli Sharp an inning later to provide some insurance.
In game two, Hawn went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three RBI to help lead the offense. Jessie TenBroeck went 3-for-4 with a couple of stolen bases. Her first swipe of the game gave Stetson its 100th team stolen base of the season.
Lipscomb (22-21, 7-7) had 11 hits in the game two victory. The Hatters recorded 10 hits but left nine runners on base.
Sunday's series finale is also Military Appreciation Day. All veterans and active military personnel will receive complimentary admission.
Notes: Stetson now has 10 shutouts this year, including four by Perkins ... The Hatters have two freshmen 10-game winners for the first time in school history (Hutto, Perkins) ... The Hatters have stolen 100 bases in a season for the third time in school history and the first time since 2001 ... Kayla Drury played in her 200th career game ... Head coach Frank Griffin won his 896th career game ... Stetson has won 57 in a row when leading after six innings (21-0 this season) ,,, Lipscomb threatened in the top of the seventh in game one, but Brittany Hawn started a 5-3 line drive double play to end the game ... Jessie TenBroeck, Ashly Smith, and Hawn each had three hits on the day ... Smith had 27 putouts at first base.
