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Softball Huddle 2023
Steve Simoneau

Softball Athletic Communications

Preview: Hatters Set to Compete for ASUN Championship

To get where the Hatters are - one of eight teams competing for the ASUN Softball Championship this week at Patricia Wilson Field - was no easy task.  Among the 32 NCAA Division I conferences, the ASUN currently ranks eighth in conference RPI.  In a 14-team league, the Hatters had to finish ahead of at least six other teams while maneuvering through one of the tougher league schedules, having faced five of the other seven tournament opponents during conference play.

In the end, Stetson went 12-12 in the ASUN and needed just about every one of those wins to clinch a tournament berth. That included nine 1-run wins, four come-from-behind victories, three extra-inning wins, and two walk-offs where Stetson won despite being down to its final strike.

The Hatters persevered through a very challenging April, taking two of three from a first-place Jacksonville State team, earning a tough victory on the road at Liberty, and winning three in one day at Jacksonville to help solidify a postseason spot.

"I told them all year if we can get in, anything can happen at that point," Stetson head coach Shellie Robinson said.  "We did our due diligence, we got in, and now we have to fight and compete."

Sixth-seeded Stetson will begin its quest for an ASUN Championship and an NCAA tournament berth Tuesday afternoon when they host seventh-seeded Austin Peay in a win-or-go-home play-in game at Patricia Wilson Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Hatters (28-27) and Governors (26-22) did not meet in the regular season and have yet to meet as conference opponents.

The winner will advance to the double-elimination portion of the bracket to face Jacksonville State at 3 p.m. Wednesday.  The tournament continues through Saturday's championship game, or games, if two are necessary.

The tournament returns to Patricia Wilson Field for the sixth time ever and for the first time since 2018.  

"It's definitely an advantage to play at home," Robinson said.  "You know how your field works, and you hopefully play in front of a big hometown crowd. What better way to win than on your home turf."

The Hatters' pitching staff has been solid throughout the season.  Junior Lauren Hobbs (15-10, 2.23 ERA) enters the tournament with a team-leading 15 wins, including two victories against SEC foes South Carolina and Georgia. Hannah Marien (9-12, 2.21 ERA) has won nine games as a freshman, recording four shutouts and a no-hitter over Queens back on March 18.  Overall, Stetson's 2.55 team ERA ranks fourth in the ASUN and in the Top 50 in the nation.

Stetson's offense has had its ups and downs. The Hatters come into the tournament hitting .235 and slugging .297.  Brianna Clary's .344 average leads the team, as does Evette Morgan's six home runs and 24 RBI.  

Robinson says one of the keys to the tournament will be timely hitting.

"I think that's been one of our hold ups this season. You come up with a big hit, you have lock down defense, you win ball games. Going into the tournament, if we can hit with runners in scoring position, we'll have a good chance to win."

Tournament passes are $85 for reserved seats and $55 for general admission and can be purchased online at GoHatters.com/tix.  Single day passes will be available for purchase starting Monday and are $20 for reserved seats and $12 for general admission.  

All games from the tournament will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Notes:
  • For the season, Stetson is 17-10 in 1-run games and 5-5 in extra innings
  • The Hatters have posted eight walk-off wins, 10 come-from-behind wins, and 11 wins in their last at-bat.
  • Of Stetson's eight walk-off wins, four have come after the Hatters were down to their final strike
  • Stetson has registered two game-winning final outs on tags at home plate.
  • The Hatters are 14-3 when scoring four runs or more and 18-8 when scoring first

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.

Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics
 
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Players Mentioned

Brianna Clary

#10 Brianna Clary

OF
5' 4"
Senior
L/R
Lauren Hobbs

#21 Lauren Hobbs

LHP
5' 8"
Junior
L/L
Evette Morgan

#16 Evette Morgan

IF
5' 6"
Junior
R/R
Hannah Marien

#23 Hannah Marien

P/OF
5' 7"
Freshman
R/R

Players Mentioned

Brianna Clary

#10 Brianna Clary

5' 4"
Senior
L/R
OF
Lauren Hobbs

#21 Lauren Hobbs

5' 8"
Junior
L/L
LHP
Evette Morgan

#16 Evette Morgan

5' 6"
Junior
R/R
IF
Hannah Marien

#23 Hannah Marien

5' 7"
Freshman
R/R
P/OF