LYNCHBURG, Va. - In the final at-bat of her regular-season career, Lizzie Shubert hit her second home run of the day - a grand slam - in the top of the seventh inning that gave the Stetson University softball team a 7-6 lead over previously-unbeaten, in league play, Liberty in ASUN action at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium on Friday morning. Lauren Hobbs then got the final two outs to save the game and keep the Hatters' postseason hopes alive.

In all, Shubert tied a Liberty Softball Stadium record with her six RBI and hit just the 12th grand slam in the stadium's history. The home runs give her a team-leading nine on the season and push her career total to 31. Also, the seventh-inning shot was her third career grand slam, becoming just the third Hatter all-time to hit three or more in a career, matching Courtney Brandt (2012-15, 3) and joining Lindsay Wightman (2005-08, 4).

The six RBI for Shubert is one shy of her career high of seven, set on Feb. 9, 2020 versus George Mason, but it is a team-season high for an individual. Her three runs scored is a career-high, while she became the third Hatter to hit two home runs in a game this season - the first time since 2014 Stetson had three different players accomplish the feat.

Stetson (21-34, 10-14 ASUN) took an early 2-0 lead in the first when Shubert hit her first home run that plated Brianna Clary, who singled to lead off the day.

However, Liberty (40-16, 23-1 ASUN), who used the long ball for a pair of wins on Thursday, responded with two of its own that gave the Flames a four-run lead by the fifth inning. Caroline Hudson hit a three-run shot in the third and Rachel Roupe added a three-run home run in the fifth.

The Hatters kept battling, plating an unearned run in the sixth - Shubert scored when Marissa Baxter reached on an error at first - and loading the bases with one out in the seventh. Jordyn Stanfill led off the frame with a single, then Clary and Danielle Diaz drew back-to-back one-out walks. Shubert, facing the Flames' third pitcher of the inning, hit a 1-2 pitch to left center, clearing the bases and reclaiming the lead for her team.

Stetson called upon Hobbs, who started the game, to close it for Lauren Klein. Hobbs retired the final two betters to earn her first career save as Klein evened her record to 9-9 with the win in the circle.

There are still a number of scenarios to see what teams will pick up the final three spots for the upcoming ASUN postseason championship tournament. Stetson may not know its postseason fate until after the Jacksonville at Kennesaw State doubleheader is completed on Saturday afternoon.

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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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