TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stetson softball delivered one of the biggest wins in program history on Friday afternoon, knocking off No. 9 Florida State 8–3 at JoAnne Graf Field in the opening round of the NCAA Tallahassee Regional.
The Hatters (37-20) erupted for 12 hits, including two home runs, while
Hayley Arnold and
Ava Braswell combined to hold the Seminoles (49-9) to just three runs. The victory marked Stetson's first NCAA Tournament win since 2014 and sent the Hatters into the winner's bracket of the regional.
After a scoreless first inning, Stetson struck first in the second.
Logan Forman launched her 16th home run of the season over the left-field wall, bringing home
Amber Chumley and giving the Hatters an early 2–0 lead. Florida State answered with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Hatters quickly regained momentum in the third.
Nicole Edmiaston and
Irianis Garcia opened the inning with back-to-back hits before Chumley crushed a three-run homer to right field, extending the Stetson advantage to 5–1. Garcia's run on the home run marked her 54th of the season, setting a new Stetson single-season record for runs scored. Florida State responded with a two-run homer later in the inning, trimming the lead to 5–3.
The Hatters answered again in the fourth inning.
Gia Napoli and
Madelyn Synoracki reached base to begin the frame before
Annabella McClerren delivered a single through the right side, driving in both runners and pushing the lead to 7–3.
Stetson added an insurance run in the sixth when Chumley came through once again, singling to shallow left field to score pinch runner
Jahnnie Patterson and extend the lead to 8–3. Chumley finished the afternoon with three hits and four RBIs, tying her season high in RBIs.
Arnold continued her strong postseason run in the circle, earning her 11th win of the season after tossing five innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Braswell closed out the game with two scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits to help secure the upset victory.
Stetson Top Performers
- Amber Chumley: 3 hits, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 home run
- Logan Forman: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 home run, 1 walk
- Annabella McClerren: 1 hit, 2 RBIs, 1 hit-by-pitch
- Hayley Arnold: 5.0 innings pitched, 5 hits allowed, 3 earned runs, 11th win of the season
- Ava Braswell: 2.0 innings pitched, 0 runs allowed, 2 hits allowed
Press Conference
Up next, the Hatters will continue play in the Tallahassee Regional against UCF on Saturday at noon at JoAnne Graf Field.
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.
