DeLand, Fla. – Softball season is officially underway as Stetson opens the 2026 campaign by hosting the Frank Griffin Classic at Patricia Wilson Field from Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 8. The Hatters will welcome UT Martin, Indiana State, and Seton Hall to DeLand for the season-opening tournament.

Stetson enters the new season following a strong 2025 campaign that saw the Hatters post a 33–28 overall record and a 14–10 mark in ASUN play, advancing to the ASUN Championship semifinals. Offensively, Stetson produced impressive numbers a year ago, batting .298 with a .426 slugging percentage, a .386 on-base percentage, and an .812 OPS.

The Hatters return several key contributors, including Gia Napoli, Amber Chumley, Nadia English, and Annabella McClerren, all of whom appeared in 50 games last season. Chumley paced the offense with nine home runs, added nine doubles, and drove in 40 runs, earning ASUN All-Freshman Team honors and a spot on the Preseason All-ASUN Team. Defensively, Napoli and McClerren anchored the corner outfield spots, consistently limiting opposing baserunners. Napoli recorded 88 putouts and 20 assists while throwing out runners at both first base and home, finishing the season with a .982 fielding percentage. McClerren added 78 putouts and robbed multiple home runs, saving critical runs throughout the year.

In the circle, Stetson brings back Ava Braswell, Caitlyn Kulczyski, Kennedy Temples, and Hayley Arnold, who combined to pitch all but 36.1 innings last season. The Hatters will also feature fresh faces this spring, welcoming eight newcomers to the roster.

UT Martin finished the 2025 season with a 16–31 overall record and an 8–17 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play before falling to Lindenwood in the postseason. The Skyhawks hit .246 as a team with a .346 slugging percentage and a .664 OPS, scoring 172 runs on 303 hits. Their pitching staff logged over 300 innings, allowing 189 runs while recording 195 strikeouts. Catcher Avary Makarewicz and utility player Dylsan Scott were named OVC Players to Watch. Makarewicz led the team with eight home runs while adding 31 hits, 15 runs, and 20 RBIs. Scott hit .266 with 33 hits, 20 runs, and 17 RBIs.

Seton Hall concluded last season with a 29–23 overall record and an 11–13 finish in Big East play. The Pirates posted a .294 team batting average with a .469 slugging percentage and an .880 OPS, totaling 414 hits and 318 runs. In the circle, Seton Hall pitchers threw 346 innings, allowing 261 runs while striking out 186 batters. The Pirates were picked to finish seventh in the Big East preseason poll and will look to rebound this spring.

Indiana State closed the 2025 season at 19–33 overall and 13–12 in Missouri Valley Conference play before falling to Evansville in the conference tournament. The Sycamores hit .250 as a team with a .650 OPS, collecting 344 hits and driving in 173 runs. Their pitching staff posted a 3.53 ERA over 341 innings with 264 strikeouts. Outfielder Morgan Goodrich earned Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Honorable Mention honors after hitting .283 last season with a .381 on-base percentage, 43 hits, and 11 RBIs.

This weekend marks the sixth meeting between Stetson and UT Martin, with the Hatters holding a 4–1 advantage in the all-time series. Stetson and Seton Hall will meet for the fifth time, with the Hatters leading the series 3–1. It will also be the fifth matchup between Stetson and Indiana State, with the Hatters trailing the series 3–1.

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.