Stetson softball made a massive statement in the NCAA Tournament, stunning No. 9 Florida State 8-3 on Friday night in the Tallahassee Regional opener. It was a victory that echoed through the college softball world, marking just the second NCAA Tournament win in program history and the Hatters' first over the Seminoles since 1987.
From the very first inning, Stetson came out swinging with purpose. The Hatters wasted no time building momentum, scoring early and often to establish a lead they never relinquished. By the end of the fourth inning, they had already set a new program record for runs in an NCAA Tournament game with seven—a testament to their relentless offensive attack.
Left fielder Chumley was the star of the show, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. She ignited the offense with a leadoff single in the second inning, later scoring the game's first run when catcher Logan Forman crushed a home run over the left-field wall. After Florida State answered with a run in the bottom of the second, Chumley responded in style, ripping a three-run homer to push the Hatters' lead to 5-1. She added an RBI single in the sixth inning to seal the deal, capping a performance that had fans on their feet.
Forman and right fielder Gia Napoli each contributed two hits, while center fielder Annabella McClerren drove in two runs with a fourth-inning single. The lineup was relentless, putting pressure on the Seminoles' defense from start to finish.
On the mound, Stetson's sophomore right-handers continued their impressive postseason run. Hayley Arnold got the start and battled through five innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three and walking two. She kept a Florida State lineup that averages over seven runs per game largely in check. Ava Braswell then took over in relief, tossing two scoreless innings with just two hits and a walk allowed to close out the upset.
The Hatters' victory over a power-conference opponent marked their first since beating Maryland in February 2024 and their first NCAA Tournament win since 2014. It was a signature moment for a program that has been building quietly, and it sent a clear message: Stetson is ready to compete on the biggest stage.
For fans of the game, this was the kind of performance that makes the NCAA Tournament unforgettable—a gritty, explosive team playing with nothing to lose and everything to prove.