DeLand, Fla. - After a busy recruiting season Stetson head coach Pete Dunn has announced the signing of three outstanding players who will join the Hatters for the 2011 season. Benjamin Carhart from Royal Palm Beach, Florida, Kyle Zech out of Naples, Florida, and Brian Eggleston from Chantilly, Virginia all have the ability to make an immediate impact within the program.
"Once again we are thrilled with the quality of this recruiting class", said Coach Dunn.
Ben Carhart
Carhart is a 5'10", 190lb two-way player out of Palm Beach Gardens High School and Palm Beach State College. The rising junior was recently voted the Southern Conference Player of the Year as well as the All-State Player of the Year by the Florida Community College Athletic Association (FCCAA). Carhart hit .480 with team high of 82 hits, 11 home runs, and 72 RBI. He also led his team to a conference championship and a #10 ranking in the nation.
He earned three varsity letters playing baseball in high school. As a senior he hit .455 with four home runs and 25 RBI. He earned First Team All-County honors and was named the team's Offensive MVP. He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated Pre-Med Magnet with a 3.5 GPA.
"Ben is an exciting two way player who will make an immediate impact on our offensive line up and on the mound. We see Ben as a corner infielder, middle of the order hitter, and an end of the game arm on the mound", said Dunn.
Kyle Zech
Zech is a 6'3", 195lb senior at Naples High School in Naples, Florida. He has earned four varsity letters in baseball as well two in football. He joins teammates Cameron Griffin and Kevin Lindheim who were early signees to Stetson last November.
Heading into his senior season Zech had earned All-Conference, All-County, All-Area, and All-State honors at Naples. He helped lead the team to three district championships, regional titles and a State Championship in 2009. The 2009 team went 33-1 and was ranked #6 in the nation by Baseball America. Zech is the only athlete in Naples HS history to play for state championship teams in two different sports.
"Kyle has the potential to be a special player", said Dunn. "His unique speed/power combination will be a huge asset to the program for the next four years in the outfield."
Brian Eggleston
Eggleston is a 6'0", 185lb senior at Salisbury High School in Salisbury, Connecticut. He played for the Crimson Knights under current Stetson assistant coach Mark Leavitt. The Chantilly, Virginia native was the Freshman of the Year at Chantilly High School before transferring to the prestigious Connecticut preparatory school where he is an honor student.
Eggleston was named as a First Team League All-Star as a sophomore and a junior, and team MVP after hitting .385 as a junior. He was named team captain for both his junior and senior seasons. Eggleston helped lead the team to a 20-0 record and a league championship in 2008 and a 15-3 record and a league runner up finish in 2009.
"Brian brings his speed and hitting ability to the program. He can play all three outfield positions while providing quality depth in the outfield", said Dunn.
