RICHMOND, Ky. - After losing both ends of Saturday's doubleheader at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, including one in extra innings, the Stetson University softball team salvaged the weekend by posting a 4-3 victory over the Colonels on Sunday afternoon in ASUN action at Gertrude Hood Field.

The Hatters' Juls Schumacher hit a pair of home runs, Kara Saylor registred a pinch-hit two-RBI single and Lauren Hobbs evened her record to 6-6 in the circle after tying her career high with nine strikeouts, but the win was not without a late threat from the home squad.

Schumacher, who entered the game with three home runs this season, tied for the team-lead with four others, broke that with a solo shot in the third, the Hatters' first hit of the game. In the fourth, Stetson loaded the bases with one out before pinch hitter Saylor singled through the middle to plate Lizzie Shubert and pinch runner Haley Fox to pad the team's lead at 3-0. 

Eastern Kentucky (7-25, 3-6 ASUN) got one back in the home half of the fourth when Carly Robinson hit a solo home run to lead off the frame - her third long ball of the series as she hit a grand slam and a three-run shot on Saturday. The Colonels also threatened in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, they had runners on first and second with one out before Hobbs ended the frame with a liner to first and a strikeout. In the sixth, they cut their deficit down to one and had the tying run at third, but Hobbs again ended the threat with a K, her ninth of the afternoon.

Schumacher gave Stetson a little breathing room with her second home run of the game, becoming the second Hatter to hit a pair of home runs in the same game this season (Marissa Baxter, at Mercer, March 12). She also is the first Hatter to hit two in league play on the road since Demi Meza hit two at North Florida on April 20, 2014. The two-run cushion was certainly needed heading to the home half of the seventh.

After getting the first two outs, Hobbs walked Maggie Pertee, then hit Lou Bowers with a pitch bringing Robinson to the plate. A four-pitch walk loaded the bases and all three moved up on a passed ball, putting the tying run at third and the winning run at second. Hobbs settled in and got a flyout to right to end the game.

Stetson (15-22, 5-4 ASUN) has now tied its most wins in league play (5, 2019) since 2016, when the team won eight, and has tied for its most road wins overall (4, 2016) since the 2014 season (11). The team will return to action this week with four games at Patricia Wilson Field. The Hatters will face Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday, a 6 pm first pitch, before welcoming Florida Gulf Coast for a three-game ASUN set this weekend. 

OF NOTE: Stetson SAAC will be hosting a canned food drive at several of our sporting events throughout the first half of the month of April to benefit the Hatter Food Pantry on campus. Desired items include non-perishable food items with some suggestions including: peanut butter, oatmeal, canned fruits and vegetables, crackers. Personal hygiene items are also welcome. The collection will take place at the following home dates: Softball, April 6, 9, 10; Baseball, April 8, 9, 10, 12; Lacrosse, April 16. The Hatter Food Pantry is a confidential program designed to aid Stetson students in need of food or personal hygiene items. It is located in Griffith Hall on Stetson University's DeLand campus.
 

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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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