The anticipation for the start of the 2018 Stetson baseball season has been building for months, and the wait for the Hatters, and their fans, is almost over.
 
Stetson will embark on the 2018 season Friday night when the Jaspers of Manhattan visit to open a three-game weekend series. Game times on Friday and Saturday are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday's series finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
 
All three games will be broadcast for free on Hatter Vision. Live stats for Stetson baseball games all season will be available at StetsonStats.com. Hatters fans can also receive text alerts with news, scores and weather update by subscribing to Hat Check at GoHatters.com/text.
 
New at Melching Field this year are features to help fans better enjoy their experience watching the Hatters. Like all 30 Major League teams, Stetson and the City of DeLand partnered to install protective netting down both the first and third base lines.
 
Fans also have an opportunity this year to purchase reserved parking spaces in the first base lot. There are only a limited number of spots available in that lot, but fans who purchase those spots will have early access into the stadium to watch batting practice and will also be treated to special pregame events throughout the year. All proceeds from the sale of the parking spots go directly to the baseball program to help fund things such as the newly renovated team room.
 
Stetson alumnus Jim Johnson, who was one of the first African-American students at Stetson, and was the first African-American player on the Hatters baseball team in the mid-1960s, will throw out the first pitch for opening night.
 
The Hatters, who are coming off a 27-29 season last spring, have the weight of expectation on their shoulders this spring. Overwhelmingly picked by the coaches in the ASUN as the league favorite, Stetson is focused first on snapping a five-game losing streak in season-opening games.
 
Over 100 seasons of baseball, Stetson has a record of 50-49-1 in its opening games. The last win in an opener came in 2012 against George Washington. Friday's game will also be the start of a 21-game home stand, the longest in program history.
 
Manhattan comes into face the Hatters off an 18-35 season a year ago. First-year Jaspers head coach Mike Cole was recruited to play at the University of Vermont by Stetson coach Steve Trimper and later coached for Trimper at both Manhattan and Maine, will square off against his mentor for the first time.
 
It will be just the second meeting between the programs, with Stetson having won the only previous meeting 8-1 in 1992. It will also be the first time for Trimper to coach against the school where he got his start as a head coach. He led the Jaspers from 1999-2005, compiling a 172-174-2 record.
 
Junior Logan Gilbert will get the ball for Stetson on Friday night. A consensus preseason All-American, Gilbert is coming off a 2017 season that included a 10-0 record with a 2.02 ERA for the Hatters. He is expected to square off against Manhattan graduate student Joe Jacques, who missed much of last year with an injury. Jacques was winless in seven starts (0-6) with a 6.12 ERA before missing the rest of the season.
 
Junior Jack Perkins will get the start in Saturday's game for Stetson. Perkins, who played summer ball with Manhattan catcher Fabian Pena with the Chatham Anglers in the Cape Cod League, is back after going 7-5 last spring with a 2.71 ERA. He will face sophomore right-hander Nick Massa, who worked primarily as a reliever last year, posting an 0-1 record in 18 appearances with a 5.40 ERA.
 
On Sunday, the Hatters will send sophomore left-hander Mitchell Senger to the mound. Senger blossomed over the summer and into the fall after having an 0-2 record in 14 appearances last spring, with just one start. The Jaspers have not yet determined who their starter will be for the weekend.
 
Missing from the rotation for the Hatters is senior right-hander Brooks Wilson. After passing up an opportunity to play professionally last summer, Wilson will move into the role of closer on the weekend and mid-week starter this spring. He will also see playing time at first base.
 
After leading the ASUN with 127 strikeouts last year, Wilson enters the 2018 season 121 Ks shy of the Stetson record and 126 away from the ASUN career mark. He is expected to make his first start on the mound next Tuesday night when the Hatters host UCF at Melching Field.
 
Besides a deep pitching staff, the Hatters return starting catcher Austin Hale, center fielder Jacob Koos, shortstop Jorge Arenas, first baseman Mike Spooner – who moves to right field this spring – and designated hitter Jack Gonzalez. The trio of Austin Bogart, Kirk Sidwell and Andrew MacNeil also return and will share time in left field.
 
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 A