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Annabella McClerren
Steve Simoneau
1
Jacksonville State JSU 24-11, 10-2 ASUN
2
Winner Stetson STET 22-18, 6-6 ASUN
Jacksonville State JSU
24-11, 10-2 ASUN
1
Final
2
Stetson STET
22-18, 6-6 ASUN
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Jacksonville State JSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1
Stetson STET 0 0 2 0 0 0 X 2 4 0

W: Hobbs, Lauren (10-6) L: Jaliyah Holmes (12-4)

Game Recap: Softball | | Athletic Communications

Hatters Down Jacksonville State to Win Series, 2-1

DeLand, Fla. -- Stetson head coach Shellie Robinson knew this weekend's series against ASUN-leader Jacksonville State at Patricia Wilson Field would be tough test for her Hatter squad.  The Gamecocks came in swinging some hot bats and riding a 12-game win streak.  But after dropping the series opener 7-3, the Hatters bounced back with a 6-0 win Friday and a hard-fought 2-1 victory on Saturday to take the series two games to one.

"I think it shows our team we can beat anybody," Robinson said.  "We have a tough week coming up, we have two with USF on Wednesday and then we go up to Lynchburg and play Liberty.  It's a confidence booster, knowing no matter who is in the other dugout, we can beat them if we play our game."

Despite falling behind early Saturday, the Hatters (22-18, 6-6 ASUN) scored a pair of two-out runs in the third, got a another gem in the circle from pitcher Lauren Hobbs, and made several stellar plays defensively to nail down the win.

"I think coach is just so happy," junior Gianna Niemeier said. "We prepared for this all week.  They outhit us, but we got the timely hits, and the timely walks. I think she was proud of us and our energy in the dugout."

The biggest hit in Saturday's game was likely one of the shortest hits as well.  It came off the bat of Niemeier with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning.  After falling behind 0-2, Niemeier worked the count even, fouling off several pitches in the process.  On the ninth pitch of the at-bat, Niemeier hit a high chopper in front of home plate that rolled to a perfect spot 20 feet down the third base line.  All the runners moved up and the game was tied 1-1.

"I knew she was throwing me outside, so I got on the plate and was working to foul off pitches," Niemeier said. "I tried to foul off that pitch off and it landed fair.  I didn't even know it went fair, honestly.  I was just sprinting down the line so I didn't get thrown out.  I don't know where it went.  I don't even want to watch it back."

"She fought, she fought," Robinson said.  "She sees up well. She's been getting pretty level with it, and she really got on top of that one.  It was an unconventional single, but it looks like a line drive in the box score."

Briana Robinson then drew a four-pitch walk to force in a second run before the Gamecocks (24-11, 10-2) got out of the inning.

Enter Hobbs (10-6), who battled back from a first inning run to keep JSU scoreless the rest of the way.  She allowed eight hits and no walks while striking out three.  It was her second win of the weekend.

"Once again, I thought Lauren did a great job keeping them at bay," Shellie Robinson said.  "That's a very tough offensive team to face.  The defense did an amazing job to back her up. AB made some great plays.  The energy in the dugout was up, loud, and consistent.  Everyone contributed to that win."

Both teams made some spectacular catches in the outfield, including two by Stetson center fielder Annabella McClerren.  With two on and one out in the second inning, she went back to the warning track to make a leaping catch on a line drive off the bat of Brantly Bonds.  Then in the sixth, she robbed Abbi Perkins of hit on a diving catch in shallow center field.

"I just told myself that I'm getting it," McClerren said about the diving catch.  "I just feel like I can get to anything, and I go all out for every ball." 

"That's how she plays," Shellie Robinson said.  "She dove for one yesterday, same kind of play, and it gets by her.  She comes out today with no fear. She knows her teammates are going to back her up if she doesn't catch it.  She's just all out all the time, and that's what I love about her."

Hobbs still had to get through JSU's 2-3-4 hitters in the seventh, but she worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning.  The Hatters improved to 6-6 in league play and moved into a tie for sixth place in the standings.

Stetson will host USF in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

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.

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