DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson improved to 4–1 on the season with a 1–0 victory over North Dakota State on Thursday at Patricia Wilson Field. Gabby David's fifth-inning home run accounted for the game's only run, while the Hatters' pitching staff combined to allow just three hits in the shutout win.
Locked in a scoreless battle through four innings, Stetson broke through in the fifth when David launched a solo home run to deep center field. The blast marked the first collegiate home run of her career and proved to be the decisive swing of the game.
The Hatters' pitching and defense made the slim lead stand. Kennedy Temples delivered five strong innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five and walking one. She threw 76 pitches, 42 for strikes, and tied her career high in strikeouts while earning the win.
Jenna Johnston closed the door in relief, tossing two hitless innings to secure the save. Johnston faced six batters, inducing five flyouts and one groundout to preserve Stetson's second shutout of the season.
Following the win, head coach Shellie Cousins praised her team's trust and composure.
"Our pitchers trusted their defense," Cousins said of the combined shutout. "That's huge for sure."
Cousins noted there is still room for growth in getting ahead in counts but emphasized the importance of carrying momentum forward.
"Hitting is contagious," Cousins said. "We can do a little bit of everything. We love the long ball, but we also have some kids that can create some chaos on the base paths."
Stetson returns to action Friday, Feb. 13, when it hosts Maine at Patricia Wilson Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.
Article partially generated with FanWord.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
