Amanda Lindsey allowed only one hit in Stetson's 1-0, eight-inning victory against Mercer on Friday. Image courtesy of ASunPhotos
Date Posted: 5/9/2008
DeLAND, Fla. - In a classic pitcher's duel between Mercer's Jenni Holtz and Stetson's Amanda Lindsey, it was the Hatters who mustered enough offense to take a thrilling 1-0 victory in the 2008 Atlantic Sun Softball Championship at Stetson’s Patricia Wilson Field.
The Hatters (43-23) fight off elimination for the second straight game after losing Thursday's opener to Campbell. Mercer (32-27) ends its season with a 1-2 Championship record.
"I feel like Elvis Presley," Stetson head coach Frank Griffin said. "I'm all shook up."
Both Lindsey and Holtz held the opposing team scoreless through seven, resulting in the Championship's first extra-inning contest. Lindsey allowed only one hit throughout the game.
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eight, Blythe Golden poked a single into center to give the Hatters the 1-0 triumph.
"I just threw my hands out and said I'm just going to throw my bat at it and see what happens," Golden said. "I just had to get my bat on it and it worked."
Before the Hatters finally broke the scoreless affair, they threatened by putting the leadoff hitter on base in the fifth and the seventh. Holtz battled out of each situation unscathed.
Mercer never gave Lindsey much to worry about, as Ashley Anderson came away with the only hit for the Bears in the fourth. The Bears never advanced a runner past second base.
"She had a great day today," Golden said of Lindsey. "She threw hard and she threw with a lot of heart."
Lindsey walked four and struck out seven batters in the winning effort. She also contributed a hit, going 1-for-3 on the afternoon. Nicole Forbes, Amanda Bailey and Blythe all had two hits for Stetson.
Holtz went 7.1 innings, giving up eight hits and striking out nine batters in the losing cause.
Stetson moves on to the final day of the Championship for the third straight season. The Hatters will take on Campbell on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET. If Campbell defeats ETSU on Friday night, Stetson will need to take two from the Camels. If ETSU wins, Stetson and Campbell play for the right to face ETSU in a winner-take-all Championship game.
