DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson continued its strong showing at the Hatter Classic on Friday, earning a pair of victories at Patricia Wilson Field with a 10–1 run-rule win over Maine and an 8–7 victory over North Dakota State.
With the sweep, the Hatters improved to 6–1 on the season.
Game 1: Stetson 10, Maine 1 (5 innings)
Stetson's offense and pitching were in sync in the opener, as the Hatters collected nine hits while
Jenna Johnston delivered her first complete game of the season.
Maine struck first in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on a Stetson error to take a 1–0 lead. The Hatters answered immediately in the bottom half.
Irianis Garcia and
Nicole Edmiaston reached base ahead of
Gaby Bauer, who delivered a two-RBI single to center to put Stetson in front for good.
The Hatters extended the lead in the second inning. After
Gabby David reached on an error and the bases were loaded through walks and a wild pitch,
Logan Forman singled up the middle to drive in two unearned runs. Forman later added a two-run home run in the fifth inning — her first as a Hatter — giving her a season-high four RBIs in the game.
Garcia also went deep in the fifth, launching her third home run of the season as Stetson pulled away.
Johnston was dominant in the circle, allowing just two hits and no earned runs over five innings. She struck out three, did not issue a walk, and retired 13 consecutive batters at one point. Johnston needed just 65 pitches, 40 for strikes, to secure the run-rule victory.
Edmiaston added three hits and two runs scored, while Garcia homered and crossed the plate three times to pace the offense.
Game 2: Stetson 8, North Dakota State 7
The nightcap proved to be a back-and-forth battle, but Stetson used timely hitting and resilience to secure the one-run win.
The Hatters' power showed early, as
Logan Forman tied the game in the third inning with a two-run home run — her second straight game with a two-run blast.
Madison Quinn followed with a solo shot in the fourth, marking the first home run of her career.
After North Dakota State plated four runs in the fifth to tighten the contest, Stetson responded. Edmiaston delivered a solo home run in the fifth to provide a key insurance run.
The decisive inning came in the sixth.
Berkley Demetter reached and advanced on a fielding miscue before Garcia drove her home with an RBI single to left-center. Edmiaston followed with a two-run single up the middle, extending the lead and recording her seventh consecutive game with a hit.
North Dakota State threatened in the seventh, trimming the deficit to one, but the Hatters held firm to seal the 8–7 victory.
Ava Braswell earned the start, pitching 4 1/3 innings.
Kennedy Temples provided 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one earned run while striking out three to earn her third win of the season. Johnston also saw action in relief.
Edmiaston finished with four hits and three RBIs, including a home run. Forman added a home run and two RBIs, while Quinn contributed her first career homer.
Alivia Taibl recorded her first collegiate hit in the win.
Following the victory, head coach
Shellie Cousins praised the team's resilience and versatility.
"I'm happy with the win," Cousins said. She highlighted freshman
Berkley Demetter's defensive range, telling her, "You see all that green out there — you cover it all. She's a gamer. Even going back to the fall when she was getting into games, she's been ice cold. She just comes out here and competes." Cousins also emphasized the team's response in key moments. "Hitting is contagious," she said. "I'm proud of them fighting back every inning this last game tonight."
Stetson returns to action Saturday, Feb. 14, hosting Maine at Patricia Wilson Field. First pitch is set for 3:30 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.
