MACON, Ga. – On the second day of the Mercer Bears Classic at Skiles Field on Saturday, the Stetson University softball team lost a pair of games as its two opponents broke ties late and then held on for wins in the seventh frame. Highlighting the Hatters offensively was Marissa Baxter, who hit her first two home runs of the season against Mercer.
 
In the Hatters' first game against Iona, they trailed 4-1 before their own late, sixth-inning rally tied it up. Stetson, who scored its first run thanks to a Gaels' error in the second, had just one hit entering the sixth, but notched four straight highlighted by Lizzie Shubert's bases-loaded, two-RBI single that pulled the Hatters to within one at 4-3.
 
After another Gaels error loaded the bases, Jordyn Stanfill tied the game with two outs on an RBI hit-by-pitch that scored Evette Morgan, but the rally would end there.
 
Iona (4-8) took the lead back in the top of the seventh when Jamie Sheeran hit a solo home run, her third hit and second RBI in the game.
 
Stetson quickly got two runners on base in the home half, as Brianna Clary reached on an error and Danielle Diaz singled, her second of the day and her fifth multi-hit game of the season. However, back-to-back strikeouts and a pop to third ended the threat and game.
 
In their second game against the host Bears, Stetson jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the middle of the third inning. In the second, Baxter slammed her first of the game, a two-run shot, scoring Morgan, who doubled. In the third, Alyssa Gilman scored an unearned run to give the visitors a three-run advantage.
 
Mercer (6-16) responded with three runs in the home half of the third to knot the game and then a used a two-out rally to score three more in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead.
 
In the seventh, Baxter hit her second home run of the day, the third of her career to make it a two-run deficit. Haley Fox followed with a one-out walk bringing the tying run to the plate, but two straight outs ended the day.
 
In the circle, Lauren Klein tossed her second complete game of the season versus the Gaels, while Lauren Hobbs struck out nine Bears in 5.2 innings of work. Both pitchers suffered the losses.
 
Stetson (9-16) will return to the field on Sunday and will again face Iona (11 a.m.) and Mercer (1 p.m.) before heading back to campus.
  About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS (PDF).
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