Oxford, AL – The Stetson Hatters kept their ASUN Championship hopes alive on Thursday, May 8, with a gritty performance in tournament play. After a narrow 2-1 loss to top-seeded North Florida, the Hatters bounced back in dominant fashion, routing third-seeded Central Arkansas 10-1 in five innings.

"I told the girls that one of the toughest games to play is the one after a loss," said Assistant Coach Chris Jones. "I'm so proud of the way they bounced back! The bats certainly showed what they've been doing for the last six weeks! Pitching got out of a couple bases loaded jams in the first two innings and our bats went to work after that."

Kennedy Temples took the circle for Stetson in the opener, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings with four hits allowed, no walks, and a strikeout. Ava Braswell entered in relief and took the loss, surrendering two unearned runs on three hits while striking out two.

North Florida broke through in the bottom of the fifth with two runs, and although Stetson clawed one back in the sixth—thanks to a double by Nadia English and a fielding error—however, they couldn't complete the comeback. A leadoff single in the seventh gave them hope, but they ultimately fell short.

"North Florida is a tough team and they capitalized on their only chance," said Coach Jones. We had a few more chances but couldn't get the big hit. Pitching was solid for us but our defense and offense struggled."

Offensively, the Hatters were led by Amber Chumley, who went 2-for-3 in the game with a double. Irianis Garcia compiled a noteworthy game at the plate as well, going 2-for-2 with a walk. English also chipped in for Stetson, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
Facing elimination, the Hatters came out swinging against Central Arkansas, taking control early and never looking back.

Braswell started the second game of the day, lasting 1.2 innings and allowing one run. Hayley Arnold came on in relief and was lights-out, throwing 3.1 hitless innings with four walks and two strikeouts to earn the win.

Stetson opened the scoring in the second with a pair of triples from Gia Napoli and Addison Foster, taking a 3-0 lead. Central Arkansas responded with one run, but Arnold's shutdown pitching kept the Bears from building momentum.

Stetson padded its lead in the top of the third with two more runs, thanks to smart baserunning and timely hitting. Nadia English led off with a single, and Dylan Anthony followed with a double into the right-center gap, putting two runners in scoring position. Devon Weller then hit into a fielder's choice, with the defense cutting down Chumley at the plate. But moments later, a passed ball allowed both Anthony and Weller to score, extending the Hatters' lead to 5-1.

In the fourth, Napoli singled and was promptly brought home when Kami Eppley drove a triple into the right-center alley, tacking on another run to make it 6-1.

The Hatters sealed the game with a four-run outburst in the fifth. English singled and advanced on a wild pitch, then scored on Weller's RBI single. Emily Santana and Garcia followed with hits of their own, bringing in Weller to make it 8-1. Napoli walked to load the bases, and Foster drew another walk to force in a run. Eppley capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Garcia to score and giving Stetson a 10-1 lead.

Arnold then retired the side in order in the bottom of the fifth to seal the run-rule victory.

In the batter's box, the Hatters were led by Napoli, who went 2-for-2 in the game with a triple, a walk and two RBIs. Eppley put together a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Foster also chipped in for Stetson, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a triple, a walk and two RBIs.

With the win, Stetson advances to face Austin Peay in a rematch on Friday, May 9, at 4:00 p.m. EST.