DeLand, Fla. - The Stetson Hatters were back in action at Patricia Wilson Field for the final time this season on Saturday afternoon, looking to close out their season with a series win over North Florida. Despite a strong outing from senior
Lauren Hobbs, the Hatters came up short, falling 2-1.
Stetson (15-37, 7-17 ASUN) threatened first, with
Nadia English being thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the first, but the Hatter second baseman responded in her next trip to the plate, tripling to the gap in right-center to score centerfielder
Kami Eppley for a 1-0 Stetson lead after three innings of play.
North Florida (32-17,17-7 ASUN) appeared set to respond in the top of the fourth, but Hobbs was able to escape the jam, inducing a soft line-out to Eppley to leave the bases loaded.
The Ospreys would threaten again in the fifth, loading the bases with just one out, but Hobbs was again able to dance out of danger, inducing a fielder's choice that saw the lead runner cut down at the plate before a soft groundout to second ended the threat.
UNF finally made good on the threat in the seventh, taking a late lead thanks to a 2-1 home run. The Hatters were unable to respond, going in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Hobbs (6-15) took the hard-luck loss after holding the Ospreys to just two runs on nine hits and a walk. She struck out two while throwing 7.0 innings.
English went 2-for-3 and drove in the only run for Stetson, while Eppley, designated player
Lath Freeman, left fielder Annabella McLerren, and right fielder
Briana Robinson all added a hit.
