The defending ASUN champion Stetson Baseball team will begin to wrap up fall practice this weekend with the start of the annual Hatter Series at Melching Field.
 
The team will be divided into two squads for a best of five series to close out fall practice. The series was pushed a week later than normal after the team lost a week of work in the middle of October due to Hurricane Matthew.
 
The start of the Hatter Series will be preceded on Friday night by the annual alumni game. That event is slated to start with batting practice at 5 p.m., followed by the game at 6 p.m. All former players are invited to participate in the event, which will include dinner and beverages after the game. All interested former players should RSVP to Meghan Schweizer at baseball@stetson.edu.
 
Game one of the Hatter Series will take place Saturday morning, November 5, at 10 a.m. at Melching Field. Admission to all of the Hatter Series games, as well as the alumni game, is free.
 
The 2017 Hatters will be loaded with new players as just three starters return from the squad that went on a dramatic run through the ASUN Tournament last spring. Those returning players include senior shortstop Colton Lightner, junior catcher Austin Hale and sophomore outfielder Kirk Sidwell.
 
The Hatters have seven returners who saw considerable action on the mound last year. Those pitchers are led by junior right-hander Brooks Wilson and junior left-hander Ben Onyshko.
 
A total of 17 first-year players are on the squad for the 2017 season.
 
The Hatter Series will continue on Sunday morning with game two at 10 a.m. Game three is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, November 9, at 3 p.m. The final two games of the series are slated for Friday, November 11 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, November 12 at 10 a.m.
 
The Hatters will open the 2017 season at home on Friday, February 17, against Southern Illinois.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.