DeLand, Fla. - Four Stetson pitchers allowed just one run and eight hits in 16 innings as the Hatters downed Florida State College of Jacksonville 6-1 in their fall softball exhibition finale. Senior righthander Nicole Peltz (Navarre, Fla.) racked up six of Stetson's 18 strikeouts over the final four innings while senior starter Amanda Lindsey (Byhalia, Miss.) helped her own cause with a two-run home run.
Stetson scored two runs each in the fourth, sixth and 13th innings to earn the victory. The Stars got on the board first, plating a runner on a wild pitch in the top of the fourth, but Lindsey soon erased that with a two-run shot to left center field in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore second baseman Chelsey Trotto (Lantana, Fla.) drove in another run with an RBI double down the right field line in the sixth; one batter later she alertly scored from second on a beautifully executed bunt single by sophomore left fielder Brittany Knipp (Land O'Lakes, Fla.).
The two teams exchanged scoreless frames for nearly the length of an entire regulation game until sophomore first baseman Carolyn Boyd (Germantown, Tenn.) drove in two runs with a single to left field in the bottom of the 13th. That hit plated junior left fielder Rachel Lowe (Okeechobee, Fla.), who had doubled, along with junior pinch runner Jesse Tucker (DeFuniak Springs, Fla.).
Lindsey, Peltz, senior Katie Lawrence (Hilliard, Fla.) and freshman Courtney Gunby (Bishop, Ga.) kept the FSCJ offense off balance the entire afternoon, surrendering just two hits apiece. Peltz led with six strikeouts, followed by Gunby (five), Lindsey (four) and Lawrence (three).
The Hatters now turn their attention to exams and the holidays, but will return to work in January to prepare for the 2010 regular season. The 2010 schedule will be announced on www.GoHatters.com later this week.
