DeLand, Fla. – The Stetson Hatters held a 3-1 lead heading into the seventh inning but were unable to hold on, falling 5-3 to the Florida Atlantic Owls on Sunday.

Hayley Arnold started in the circle for the Hatters, and after a scoreless first inning, Florida Atlantic took a 1-0 lead in the second. Stetson quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, with Annabella McClerren driving in Nadia English with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.

The score remained tied until the fourth inning when Stetson took the lead. Dylan Anthony delivered an RBI single, putting the Hatters ahead 2-1.

Stetson's defense kept Florida Atlantic scoreless, and the Hatters extended their lead to 3-1 in the sixth inning. McClerren again came through with an RBI single, but the Hatters' lead slipped away in the seventh. The Hatters were were one out away from the win before Florida Atlantic unfortunately scored four times in the top of the seventh and Stetson dropped the game 5-3. 

The Hatters will head out on the road next, traveling to Athens, Georgia, for The Bulldog Classic. Stetson will face Ohio State at 10:30 a.m. and Georgia at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28.