DeLand, Fla. – Stetson softball capped off the weekend series with a commanding 7-3 victory over FGCU on Sunday afternoon. Kami Eppley led the charge for the Hatters, contributing three hits and four RBIs, while Ava Braswell earned her sixth win of the season.

Kennedy Temples started in the circle for Stetson, pitching two innings, allowing three hits and one walk, and striking out two batters.

Temples found herself in a jam early, as the first two batters reached base in the top of the first inning. However, she responded by retiring the next three batters, escaping unscathed. In the bottom of the first, Addison Foster reached first on an error by the Eagles' shortstop, then stole second and advanced to third on a groundout by Eppley. Amber Chumley drove in Foster with a single up the middle, giving Stetson a 1-0 lead.

After another scoreless inning from Temples, the Hatters extended their lead in the second. Dylan Anthony led off with a single to left field, and with two outs, Foster reached base again with a single down the left field line. Eppley followed by finding the gap in right-center, bringing in Anthony to make it 2-0.

Braswell took over in the top of the third inning. After allowing two singles to start the inning, she retired the next three batters, including a key play at the plate. Stetson added another run in the bottom of the fourth when Eppley singled in Gia Napoli to make it 3-0.

FGCU responded with two runs in the top of the fifth to trim the Stetson lead, but the Hatters answered back in the bottom half. Annabella McClerren walked to start the inning, and Riley Venn delivered a clutch double to right-center, scoring McClerren. Napoli walked, and Foster followed with a single up the middle to load the bases. Eppley then singled through the left side, bringing in two runs to give her four RBIs on the day and extend the lead to 6-2. Chumley loaded the bases again, and Emily Santana added a single to make it 7-2.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Caitlyn Kulczyski came in to pitch the top of the seventh. She retired the first batter, but the next two reached base. The Hatters turned to Hayley Arnold in the bullpen. Arnold struck out the next batter, but an error allowed the Eagles to score a third run. Arnold rebounded, striking out the final batter to seal the win for Stetson.

It was a strong bounce-back weekend for the Hatters, who now stand at 2-4 in conference play. Stetson will head to Tallahassee to face Florida State on Wednesday, March 26, at 3:00 p.m.