DeLand, Fla. -- The Hatters had been searching all night for a clutch hit, and Riley Russell finally delivered.
Russell's two-out, two-run single to center in the bottom of the sixth inning helped Stetson rally for a 4-2 win over George Mason Friday night at Patricia Wilson Field.
The victory gave the Hatters (1-1) a split on opening day at the Stetson Lead-Off Classic. Stetson fell 2-0 to Boston University earlier in the afternoon.
Freshman Lauren Klein (1-0) picked up her first career victory in the circle, pitching four strong innings of relief.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Hatters loaded the bases behind singles from Nyah Morgan and Devin Lewis and a walk by Linda Ross. Russell then drilled a 0-1 pitch back through the middle to score the tying and go-ahead runs. Molly McLaughlin followed with an RBI single to left to add some insurance.
Klein pitched out of a seventh inning jam to seal the win. Game 2 starter Jaime Tino allowed one unearned run over three innings while striking out three. Danielle Diaz also collected an RBI single.
In game 1, freshman Chloe Temples was brilliant in her Hatter debut, allowing just four hits over seven innings. She walked none, struck out four, and did not allow an earned run.
Lizzie Shubert went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Hatters, while McLaughlin and Morgan collected two hits apiece. However, the Hatters left 14 runners on base and went 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
AJ Huerta-Leipner's two-run home run in the top of fifth inning proved to be the only scoring of the game.
Lizzy Avery and Ali DuBois combined on a shutout for the Terriers (2-0), who also defeated Sam Houston State 9-3 earlier in the day.
Sam Houston State (1-1) defeated George Mason (0-2) 7-6 in the first game of the tournament.
The Stetson Lead-Off Classic continues Saturday as the Hatters face Boston U. at 3 p.m. and Sam Houston State at 5 p.m.
Notes:
- The Hatters were 4-for-4 in stolen bases
- Temples is the first left-handed pitcher for the Hatters since Holly Burris in 2003.
- Nyah Morgan led the offense with four hits
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
