Oxford, AL – A six-run outburst in the sixth inning propelled Stetson softball to a 7-1 victory over Austin Peay in the ASUN Tournament on a rainy Wednesday night, marking the Hatters' first tournament win since 2016.
Ava Braswell got the start in the circle for Stetson, allowing just one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one across four-plus innings.
"Pitching did an amazing job slowing down their bats," said Assistant Coach Chris Jones. "Austin Peay is a very good hitting team. Ava put out a little fire in the first which was big. Hayley came in the fifth and killed a rally. Then she shut them down in the sixth to give us a chance to take the lead. Holding Austin Peay to only one run is an awesome job by both our pitching and our defense.
The game began with a tense first inning, but Braswell pitched her way out of trouble to keep things scoreless. In the third,
Annabella McClerren made a highlight-reel catch in left field, leaping into the wall to prevent a potential home run.
Stetson broke the deadlock in the bottom of the third.
Gia Napoli tripled down the right-field line and was brought home on an
Addison Foster sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.
Austin Peay answered in the fifth with back-to-back hits to tie the game at 1-1. Stetson turned to reliever
Hayley Arnold, who entered with a runner on second and quickly ended the threat.
The Hatters erupted offensively in the bottom of the sixth. Napoli opened the inning with a bunt single, and Foster drew a walk. A bunt by
Kami Eppley resulted in a close play at first, but after review, she was ruled safe, loading the bases.
Amber Chumley delivered a go-ahead single through the right side, and
Devon Weller followed with a base hit to center to make it 3-1.
Dylan Anthony added a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 4-1. McClerren was then hit by a pitch, setting the stage for
Irianis Garcia, who cleared the bases with a three-run triple.
"The bats were certainly quiet until the sixth as we only had one inning with a runner in scoring position which we scored," said Jones. "Our bats have been pretty solid over the last six weeks so I was hoping it was just a matter of time. I think there were a bit of nerves and hopefully they've been put away for tomorrow."
Arnold closed the game with three perfect innings, striking out two and earning the win. McClerren sealed the victory with a diving catch in foul territory to end the game.
Stetson now prepares for a quick turnaround, set to face North Florida for the seventh time this season on Thursday, May 8 at 1:30 p.m. EST.
