Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 DeLand, Fla. - Kicking off the 2023 Stetson softball season, the Hatters were successful in three out of five games. The Frank Griffin Classic consisted of four teams: The Hatters of Stetson University, the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson, the Flyers of Dayton, and the Friars of Providence.

Friday afternoon, the Hatters faced off against the Knights. The afternoon contest was a warm one, and Fairleigh Dickinson was off to an early lead in the second inning when Brandi Mitchell scored, giving the Knights the 1-0 advantage. Neither team was able to capitalize until sophomore Haley Fox ran it in for the Hatters, tying the game at one. The game went into extra innings, and it wasn't until the eighth inning when the Knight's Kendalyn Macias was able to win the game for Fairleigh Dickinson. Stetson positively responded later that afternoon when they took on the Friars, securing a considerable 13-1 victory.

Saturday, the Hatters were ready to play when they faced Providence for the second time and were able to clinch another victory with a 4-3 score. The second game of the day came to a dramatic ending when freshman Anabella McClerren was awarded home plate after the umpires deemed that the pinch-hitter base running was interfered with by the Dayton shortstop, resulting in Eppley recording the second walkoff in as many games, giving the Hatters the 2-1 victory over the Flyers.

Sunday's contest resulted in a 0-3 loss for the Hatters. The Flyers were able to score twice in the third and once in the fifth.

"I think this weekend was a good learning experience for us", head coach Shellie Robinson said. "We beat ourselves the first and last game of the weekend, but we found out what we need to work on moving forward. We saw big fight and grit on Saturday and a lot of promising moments from some of our younger athletes that excites me moving forward. Still came out winning the weekend going 3-2, and I know we will be stronger the deeper into the season we get."

Stetson will look for an on the road victory as the travel to Miami Softball Field to take on the FIU Panthers for a midweek contest Wednesday, February 15.


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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