JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Stetson University softball team had several scoring chances early in its 2022 ASUN Championship Play-in game against Kennesaw State on Tuesday afternoon at the UNF Softball Complex, but could not capitalize. Down to their last at-bats, the Hatters finally broke through by plating two runs in the seventh to force extra innings, however an unearned run in the ninth by the Owls gave them the 3-2 win and ended Stetson's season.
Playing in her hometown,
Kami Eppley had two hits and scored a run, while
Danielle Diaz also had two hits and
Brianna Clary reached base four times, which included a single and two walks, and scored the Hatters' other run.
Lauren Hobbs tossed a career-high tying 8.2 innings, struck out six batters and stranded eight Owls on base before the final frame.
Stetson (21-35) looked prime to open the scoring in the first as Clary led off the game with her first walk and Diaz followed with a single. Each moved into scoring position with a stolen base - Clary her team-leading 23 and Diaz her sixth - still with no outs.
Owl starter Melanie Bennett then struck out the next two Hatters and got the final out with a foul out to keep Stetson off the board. She did the same in the third, when Eppley singled and Clary reached on a poor decision on a sac bunt attempt - Bennett went to second and Eppley beat the throw. However, Bennett retired the next three to keep the game scoreless.
Hobbs matched Bennett's effort, not allowing a hit until the third, and with two Owls on and one out, got back-to-back grounders to Diaz at third to get out of the frame.
In the fifth, Stetson had runners on the corners with two outs - Clary a single and moved to third on
Lizzie Shubert's single, but another foul out ended that threat.
Kennesaw State (22-26) ended the scoring drought in the home half by scoring two runs on back-to-back doubles from Faith Alexadner and Katie Greep. Hobbs responded with back-to-back strikeouts and a perfect sixth to keep the Owls within striking distance for the Hatters.
In the seventh, Eppley singled with one out and moved to second on Clary's second walk of the day. Diaz then singled to Bennett on a high-chopper, and instead of holding it, she tried to get Diaz at first and the ball sailed into right field allowing Eppely to race home. Shubert followed with a sac fly to deep center, driving home Clary, and the Hatters completed their comeback.
Hobbs and Bennet both threw their next two innings scoreless and the game entered the bottom of the ninth still tied at 2-2. Owl catcher Isabella Galloway started the frame by reaching on an error, then moved to second on a sac bunt. Hobbs got Alexander to pop up to second, but Greep was able to lace a two-out single into the left center gap to score Galloway for the walk-off win.
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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