Athens, GA – Stetson softball opened Day 2 of the Bulldog Classic with a dominant 14-2 victory over UMBC in five innings before falling to #11 Georgia 1-0.
Hayley Arnold started for the Hatters and earned her fifth win of the season. She set the tone with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, and Stetson capitalized with three runs in the bottom half. Foster was hit by a pitch and stole second, followed by Madelyn Synoracki who singled to the catcher and stole second. Chumley reached on an infield single to second, bringing in Foster, and then stole second herself. Kami Eppley cleared the bases with a triple to right center, giving Stetson a 3-0 lead.
After another scoreless inning for Arnold, the Hatters exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the second. Dylan Anthony started the inning with a single to second, and Devon Weller followed with a double to left center, scoring Alivia Taibl, who was pinch running for Anthony. Gia Napoli drew a walk, and Weller advanced to third on a wild pitch, allowing Napoli to steal second. Foster walked to load the bases, and all runners advanced on a passed ball. Synoracki walked to bring in another run, and Chumley singled to center for another RBI. Eppley grounded out to second, making it 7-0, and McClerren reached on an error. Nadia English singled to second, and Taibl drew a walk to bring in Stetson's ninth run. Weller walked, and Napoli reached on a fielder's choice, with the runner scoring on an error. Foster cleared the bases with a triple to center, making it 13-0. Synoracki walked to put runners on the corners, and Chumley drove in her third RBI of the game, making it 14-0.
UMBC scored two runs in the top of the third, but Stetson's bullpen shut them down the rest of the way, securing the 14-2 win in five innings.
In the second game of the day, Stetson faced #11 Georgia after losing to them the previous afternoon. Caitlyn Kulczyski started in the circle for the Hatters and took the loss. She pitched six innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and one unearned run, while striking out two.
Neither team scored in the first inning, and Georgia got their only run in the bottom of the second. After a walk, Digby stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. The next batter walked and attempted to steal second, but the Hatters got her in a pickle. However, Digby scored from third on the play.
Stetson threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth when Irianis Garcia singled to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She moved to third but was stranded there. The teams remained scoreless the rest of the way, and Stetson fell 1-0.
The Hatters will wrap up the weekend against UMBC at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 2.
