TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stetson softball's historic 2026 season came to an end Saturday at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional as the Hatters fell to No. 23 UCF, 10–1, before dropping an 11–3 decision to No. 9 Florida State at JoAnne Graf Field.
Stetson closed the year with a 37-22 overall record, capturing the ASUN Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. Along the way, the Hatters earned their first win over Florida State since 1987 and recorded the program's second NCAA Tournament victory with Friday's upset of the Seminoles.
Against UCF in the 1-0 game, the Knights jumped out to an early 4–0 lead in the top of the second inning. Stetson answered in the bottom half of the inning when
Madelyn Synoracki singled and later scored on a
Gia Napoli double to deep center field, cutting the deficit to 4–1.
UCF added six more runs over the remainder of the game to secure the 10–1 victory in six innings.
Stetson returned to the field later Saturday evening to face No. 9 Florida State in the elimination game. The Seminoles took control early, scoring two runs in the first inning before adding five more in the second.
The Hatters responded in the third inning when
Nicole Edmiaston blasted her 23rd home run of the season, moving into a three-way tie with
Shellie Cousins and Cheyenne Jenks for the second-most home runs in a single season in program history. Later in the inning,
Annabella McClerren scored on an RBI double by
Irianis Garcia to cut the deficit to 7–2.
Stetson added another run in the fourth inning when
Logan Forman crossed the plate on a bases-loaded walk by Napoli, trimming the lead to 7–3. Florida State answered with two runs in the fifth inning before adding two more in the seventh to secure the 11–3 victory.
Hayley Arnold provided a strong relief effort for the Hatters, tossing 5 2/3 innings against the Seminoles while allowing just two earned runs and striking out one batter. Garcia finished with two hits and an RBI, while Edmiaston homered and scored a run.
Stetson Top Performers vs. UCF
Stetson Top Performers vs. Florida State
The 2026 season proved to be one of the most successful campaigns in program history for the Hatters. Stetson set single-season team records in doubles, home runs, RBIs, runs scored, total bases, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and conference wins while posting the program's highest win total since 2014.
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.
