DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson softball welcomes No. 3 Florida to Patricia Wilson Field on Wednesday, April 1, with a sold-out crowd.
The Hatters continue to gain national recognition, checking in at No. 17 in the D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll and No. 20 in the Softball America Mid-Major Rankings.
The two teams met just last week in Gainesville, where Stetson narrowly fell 3–2. Irianis Garcia provided the early spark with a two-run home run in the first inning, while Hayley Arnold delivered a complete-game effort in the circle.
Stetson enters Wednesday's matchup fresh off a sweep of Queens. Arnold led the way, earning ASUN Pitcher of the Week honors after posting a 1.65 ERA across 17 innings, allowing just four earned runs while striking out 10.
Nicole Edmiaston continues to pace the Hatters offensively, batting .495 with a .561 on-base percentage and a 1.551 OPS. She has recorded 52 hits, including seven doubles and 15 home runs, while driving in 52 runs.
Amber Chumley has also been a key contributor, hitting .362 with five home runs and 20 RBIs. Irianis Garcia ranks second on the team with 41 hits, including five doubles, a triple, and eight home runs, and carries a .360 batting average. She also ranks second nationally in assists.
As a team, Stetson is batting .320 with a .407 on-base percentage, totaling 307 hits, including 47 doubles and a program-record 50 home runs, along with 120 walks and 218 RBIs.
In the circle, Ava Braswell holds an 11–6 record with a 3.17 ERA across 92.2 innings, while Hayley Arnold leads the staff with a 3.04 ERA over 48.1 innings.
Florida enters the matchup ranked No. 3 nationally with a 33–4 record, including a 9–3 mark in SEC play. Taylor Shumaker leads the Gators with 59 hits, including 11 doubles and 13 home runs, batting .480 with a .571 on-base percentage. Jocelyn Erickson paces the team with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs while hitting .452.
As a team, Florida is batting .378 with a .476 on-base percentage, totaling 385 hits, including 79 doubles and 76 home runs, along with 312 RBIs.
In the circle, Keagan Rothrock leads the Gators with a 17–4 record across 25 appearances, including 11 complete games and three saves. She has posted a 2.69 ERA over 114.1 innings with a 1.08 WHIP and a .192 opponent batting average.
Wednesday's game marks the 26th all-time meeting between the two programs.
Fans can watch the game on ESPN+, or follow live stats available at GoHatters.com. Follow Stetson Athletics on social media for updates throughout the season.
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.
