DELAND, Fla. – The Hatters staged a thrilling comeback, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk off with a 5-4 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs on Sunday. Stetson was down to its final out with four consecutive batters reaching base, all putting the ball in play to get on safely. With the win, Stetson improves to 5-0 for the season, marking their best start since 2012.
"I'm so proud of Dylan and this entire team," said Head Coach Shellie Cousins. "Dylan has worked incredibly hard and has a new mindset coming into this year and to see her come through in that moment was just so special. This was a tough first weekend with good competition. UTC were the SoCon champs last year and Binghamton is always a tough team as well, so to see the fight and confidence that our team had coming into this weekend, this early, makes me very excited for this year. We will have our hills and valleys but I have no doubt that this team will stick together through it all."
Chattanooga struck early, posting two runs in both the first and second innings off pitcher Caitlyn Kulczyski. Meanwhile, Stetson's offense was slow to get going, managing only two hits through the first three frames. However, Kulczyski settled in after the second inning, pitching scoreless innings in the third, fourth, and fifth. Stetson got one run back in the bottom of the fifth when Nadia English's ground ball to short led to a chaotic play. With runners on first and second, the Mocs got the out at second, but the throw to first went wide, allowing Addison Foster to score from second.
Ava Braswell came in to relieve in the sixth and seventh innings, keeping Chattanooga scoreless. Heading into the bottom of the seventh, Stetson trailed by three. Foster ignited the rally with a double down the right field line. Amber Chumley followed with a single to right, putting runners on the corners with no outs. English plated Foster with a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to 4-2. Chumley advanced to second on a ground out, and Irianis Garcia added a single to right, putting runners on the corners once again, this time with two outs. Kami Eppley followed with a grounder that she beat out, scoring Chumley and bringing the Hatters within one. Annabella McClerren then hit a sharp grounder that bounced off the shortstop, loading the bases for Stetson. Dylan Anthony stepped up next and immediately delivered with a two-run single to left field, bringing home Eppley and Garcia to give the Hatters the win.
Braswell earned the win in relief, throwing two shutout innings, allowing just one hit, no walks, and striking out two.
The Hatters will next travel to Gainesville to face Florida on Wednesday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m.
