The Stetson Hatters left no doubt.
For the first time since 2014, they won the ASUN championship, clinching an NCAA Tournament bid in the process, and they did so by beating the conference’s top seed twice.
On May 9, one day after defeating No. 1 Central Arkansas in the winner’s bracket final, the second-seeded Hatters again dispatched the Sugar Bears 4-0 in the title showdown at the UNF Softball Complex in Jacksonville.
The tournament featured a double-elimination format, so if Stetson (36-20) would’ve lost Game 1 on Saturday, it would’ve had another opportunity in a Game 2. That proved unnecessary, though.
Sophomore right-hander Hayley Arnold twirled a seven-inning gem. She allowed only three hits and two walks while keeping Central Arkansas off the scoreboard across 90 pitches. Arnold collected five strikeouts.
Her start came after she pitched two shutout innings in relief against the Sugar Bears Friday.
The Hatters took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore shortstop Irianis Garcia singled through the right side, scoring senior right fielder Gia Napoli.
In the fourth, junior designated player Mason Barclay provided a big blast of insurance. After a leadoff double by junior catcher Logan Forman, Barclay crushed a two-run homer to right field, pumping the cushion to 3-0.
Stetson finalized the ledger at 4-0 with an RBI groundout by Garcia in the fifth and two more scoreless frames by Arnold. Sophomore Amber Chumley caught the final out on a fly ball to left field.
The Hatters spilled out of their dugout and piled up at the pitching circle.
Stetson now owns six ASUN Tournament titles. The victory pushed the Hatters out of a tie with Georgia State and into sole possession of second place on the all-time leaderboard.
They will learn the NCAA Tournament destination during the selection show at 7 p.m. on May 10. It will air on ESPN2.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stetson softball clinches 6th ASUN title, NCAA Tournament spot
Reporting by Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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