DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson University completed a weekend sweep at the Stetson Invitational with wins over St. John's University, 6-4, and Columbia University, 4-2, on Saturday at Patricia Wilson Field. The Hatters improved to 12-3 on the season behind timely hitting and steady pitching, collecting 16 hits and three home runs across the two games.
In the opener against St. John's, Stetson struck first in the opening inning.
Gabby David lined a two-run single to center field to give the Hatters an early 2-0 advantage. The Red Storm answered with a run in the first and added two more in the second to briefly move ahead 3-2.
Stetson responded in the third.
Irianis Garcia doubled and later scored on a single by
Nicole Edmiaston to tie the game, before
Logan Forman launched a two-run home run to deep left field to reclaim the lead at 5-4. The Hatters added an insurance run in the fifth when Garcia tripled to right-center and scored on Edmiaston's RBI groundout, pushing the margin to 6-4.
Jenna Johnston earned the win in the circle, working five innings.
Kennedy Temples tossed a scoreless sixth, and
Ava Braswell closed the door with a perfect seventh to record the save.
In the nightcap against Columbia, the Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Stetson answered immediately when Garcia scored on a bases-loaded walk by
Gaby Bauer to cut the deficit in half.
The Hatters took control in the third as Forman delivered again, blasting a two-run home run to deep center field to give Stetson a 3-2 lead.
Madison Quinn added a solo home run in the fifth to extend the advantage to 4-2.
Braswell was dominant in the circle in the second game, throwing a complete game while allowing just two earned runs on six hits. She did not issue a walk and consistently induced weak contact to secure the win.
Forman led the way offensively on the day, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs across the doubleheader. Garcia recorded three hits, including a double and a triple, and scored in both games. David drove in two runs in the opener, while Edmiaston continued her strong weekend with key hits and RBIs in both contests.
Head Coach Shellie Cousins expressed pride in her team's resilience and adaptability throughout the early home stretch.
"I'm very proud of our home stands the first three weekends," Cousins said. "We've had a lot of people playing out of position, and a lot of players have stepped up at the last minute and done a really good job. I'm proud of the team effort we've seen."
Looking ahead, Cousins acknowledged the challenges that come with bigger stages but emphasized embracing the moment.
"I'm excited," she said. "There are going to be some nerves when you put them in that environment, but like I told them in the huddle, just trust the process. These are big games in big environments, and it should be fun — just enjoy it."
Stetson returns to action Friday against Samford at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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.
