The Hatters split their double header against Jacksonville to begin the series on Saturday April 13. Stetson dropped the first game 5-0 before bouncing back with a six inning 12-4 win.
In the first game, the Hatters couldn't get anything going offensively.
Annabella McClerren was able to keep the game scoreless in the top of the second as she made a sliding catch in left. A hit was taken away from Stetson in the bottom of the second when
Evette Morgan singled up the middle to put runners on first and second, but the play was called back because the runner left early from first. The Dolphins scored one run in the third and four runs in the fourth and the Hatters fell 5-0.
"We reset in the locker room between games," stated Stanfill. "We are visualizing the next game, visualizing the win, and succeeding. Now we have to reset for tomorrow's game and like Coach Cousins says get weird and have fun."
In game two, the Hatters struck first.
Addison Foster led off the inning with a double to right center and
Madelyn Synoracki followed her with a single to second base. Foster then scored on a passed ball and Synoracki was able to go from first to third on the play.
Lath Freeman snuck one through the left side bringing in Synoracki and gave Stetson a 2-0 lead.
Jaela Haynes came in to pinch run for Freeman and
Kami Eppley singled up the middle with Haynes having to stay at second. With two outs
Marissa Baxter roped one to left field that glanced off the fielder's glove and brought in two more runs making it 4-0 after the first inning.
Lauren Hobbs pitched another scoreless frame bringing the Hatters up to bat in the bottom of the second.
Nadia Englished singled to second base and stole second before Foster drew a four-pitch walk. Synoracki's ground out moved both runners into scoring position and Freeman brought home her second RBI of the game on a sac fly.
After Hobbs went through the top of the third without allowing a run. In the bottom half of the inning Baxter reached on a fielder's choice and
Jordyn Stanfill hit a moon shot over the left field wall for her first home run of the year. Stanfill's home run put the Hatters up 7-0 through three innings.
"It felt really good," said Stanfill. "I struck out the first at bat, I wanted to come back and help out my team and coach. I calmed my mind and my nerves and just refocused which really helped."
The Dolphins scored two in the top of the fourth and Stetson answered in the bottom half. McClerren and
Haley Fox scored on a throwing error by the second baseman on a fielder's choice making it 9-2.
Jacksonville scored twice more in the top of the fifth making it 9-4. In the bottom of the sixth inning Brianna Robinson pinch hit for Fox and doubled down the right field line. McClerren followed that with a double of her own down the left field line plating Robinson. Eppley then singled to first and stole second putting runners on second and third with no outs.
Michelle DiPuma drew a walk loading the bases. Stanfill got hit by a pitch making it 11-4. With the bases loaded, Stetson was in position to get a walk off mercy victory.
Nadia English stepped up to the plate and hit a single to left field bringing in Eppley as the Hatters won 12-4.
Stetson and Jacksonville will face off for the final game of the series Sunday, April 14 at 1pm.
