RALEIGH, N.C. — Stetson split a pair of games Saturday at the Marucci Classic at Dail Softball Stadium, falling just short in a 5-4 loss to Michigan State before bouncing back with a dominant 13-0 win over Mercer.
In the opener, the Hatters rallied late but could not overcome an early deficit against the Spartans.
Michigan State scored three runs in the first inning on a home run before adding two more in the second to build a 5-0 lead.
Stetson began chipping away in the fourth inning when
Amber Chumley launched a home run to right center to put the Hatters on the board. The comeback effort continued in the sixth inning as
Logan Forman connected for a solo home run and
Gia Napoli added a sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
The Hatters threatened again in the seventh after reaching on an error but were unable to bring the tying run home.
Kennedy Temples started in the circle for Stetson, allowing five runs in two innings of work.
Ava Braswell followed with two scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
Hayley Arnold closed the game with three hitless innings, allowing only one walk while recording seven fly-ball outs to keep the Hatters within striking distance.
Stetson Top Performers vs. Michigan State
Stetson responded in a big way in its second game of the day, powering past Mercer in a 13-0 run-rule victory.
The Hatters broke the game open in the second inning. After Madison Synoracki drew a leadoff walk and consecutive singles by
Nadia English and
Gia Napoli loaded the bases,
Annabella McClerren delivered a grand slam to left field to give Stetson an early advantage.
Stetson added five more runs in the fifth inning to pull away. Napoli reached on an error to begin the frame, McClerren worked a walk, and
Irianis Garcia drove in a run with an RBI single.
Gabby David capped the inning with a grand slam to extend the Hatters' lead.
The two grand slams marked just the second time in program history that Stetson has hit two grand slams in the same game. The first happened back in 2015.
Stetson finished with 12 hits in the game and three home runs.
Arnold earned the win in the circle, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out three.
Jenna Johnston added an inning of relief to close out the shutout.
Stetson Top Performers vs. Mercer
Stetson returns home Wednesday, March 11, to face Baylor at 6 p.m. at Patricia Wilson Field in DeLand.
Article partially generated by 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.
