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Softball Team 2020
Steve Simoneau

Softball Athletic Communications

Season Preview: 5 Things To Know About the Hatters

The 36th season of Stetson fastpitch softball gets underway this weekend at Patricia Wilson Field as the Hatters host the Stetson Lead-Off Classic.  Boston University, George Mason, and Sam Houston State will head to DeLand for the three-day tournament, which begins at 10 a.m. Friday.  

Since the start of fall practice back in September, the Hatters have been hard at work on the field and in the weight room.  Head coach Frank Griffin (24th season) has been pleased with the team's progress.

"I think defensively we are going to be sound," Griffin said. "Offensively, I am seeing some improvement from last year with the returning players.  Then we have some new players who are going to add some pop at the plate, and I think our pitchers have progressed very well."

As the Hatters prepare for the start of the 2020 season, here are five things you need to know about this year's squad.

1. The Hatters have a solid mix of veterans and newcomers

The Hatters return 11 letterwinners from last year's squad (Canaan Burnett, Blake Crews, Danielle Diaz, Elizabeth Jackson, Devin Lewis, Molly McLaughlin, Linda Ross, Riley Russell, Kara Saylor, Lizzie Shubert, Jaime Tino), while eight freshman join the program (Brianna Clary, Alyssa Gilman, Lauren Klein, Emma Morgan, Nyah Morgan, Jazmin Scott, Nikki Steiniger, Chloe Temples).  The team bonded quickly, and the energy and discipline on the field has been consistent during preseason practice.

"The team chemistry has been outstanding," Griffin said. "They are a great group of players. They get along well, and they communicate with the coaching staff very well.  I am very pleased with everyone and how enthusiastic and hardworking they are."

2. The Hatters return several starters on the infield 

Junior shortstop Lizzie Shubert and senior second baseman Molly McLaughlin give the Hatters a veteran presence in the middle infield.  At the corners, junior Devin Lewis is making the transition from catcher over to first base, while junior Danielle Diaz and freshman Nyah Morgan have looked sharp at third. In addition, senior Linda Ross, sophomore Kara Saylor and freshman Nikki Steiniger are among the players who can step in and play multiple positions.

Preseason all-conference catcher Blake Crews returns for her fourth year behind the plate.  The Hatter senior led the ASUN by throwing out 15 baserunners last season.  Freshmen Emma Morgan and Steiniger will provide depth at the catcher position.

"Lizzie and Molly are both playing exceptionally well," Griffin said.  "Nyah is doing an outstanding job defensively at third base, and Danielle is a natural infielder and a natural outfielder. She is also picking up at the plate where she left off last year.  Devin is progressing well at first base.  I think she will do a fine job over there.

"Blake is showing good leadership," Griffin added. "She has shortened her stride (at the plate) and is starting to hit the ball with a lot more power and consistency."

3. The Hatters may see some new faces in the outfield

The Hatters learned recently that left fielder Elizabeth Jackson, a preseason all-conference selection, will miss the entire season due to injury.

"We will miss her presence on the field," Griffin said.  "She is the type of player who leads by example, so not having her out there is going to hurt. On the other hand, she has such a great attitude, just having her on the bench and having her leadership will be a big help."

Center fielder Riley Russell will return for her senior season. Russell will also likely move up to the lead-off spot in the batting order.

"Riley has such range and the ability to dive and come up with the ball; she is pretty amazing," Griffin said. "Offensively, we want her on-base percentage to go up. If lays off pitches outside the zone and makes solid contact with strikes, she will be doing her job."

The Hatters have plenty of depth in the outfield as Griffin looks to fill the left field and right field spots.  Ross, Diaz, and freshmen Brianna Clary, Alyssa Gilman, and Jazmin Scott are all capable of stepping in and contributing.


4. The pitching staff is young but deep

Stetson's pitching staff will be an interesting storyline this season.  The Hatters enter the season with four pitchers, led by junior Jaime Tino.  The right-handed hurler threw 77 innings last year but had her season cut short due to injury.  She is now healthy and the most experienced pitcher on the staff with 41 career appearances.

Sophomore Canaan Burnett is the other returning pitcher for the Hatters.  Burnett saw action in just four games last season but has been pitching with more command and confidence this spring.

Two freshmen will look to make an impact in the circle as well - left-hander Chloe Temples and right-hander Lauren Klein.  Temples won 22 games last year for state runner-up Marianna High School.  Klein was a ASA/USA Western Nationals champions with her travel ball team but did not pitch her senior year in high school due to injury.

"Well, I think that all four can win ballgames," Griffin said.  "Jaime has gotten much stronger this year, and she's healthy.  Canaan is throwing a lot more strikes, but she still needs to work on her location.  We're talking about it and she's working on it, and I think she, along with everyone, will continue to improve.

"I think Chloe is going to do very well this year as a freshman.  She spins the ball well, she has good location, and she's very competitive. When she gives up a hit, she comes right back continues to throw good pitches.

"Lauren's also doing a great job. She's starting to spin the ball better, which is something we've been working on since the fall."

5. The Hatters are looking for a good start 

After going just 16-31 last season, the Hatters are hungry for a successful season.  Getting off to a good start would help the teams' confidence, but the schedule will be challenging right from the get go.  Both Boston University and Sam Houston State were NCAA Tournament teams last season, and the Bearkats defeated No. 9 Texas in the opening game of the regional.

Among the Hatters many other non-conference foes are Clemson, USC Upstate and Princeton, while the ASUN opponents coming to DeLand this season include FGCU, Liberty, Lipscomb and Jacksonville.

What does Griffin think the Hatters have to do to be successful?

"Each individual has to step up and play a little better than they think they can, and they are quite capable of doing that," Griffin said. "If they would just relax and play with a little more confidence, then I think good things will happen. I am looking forward to it."

The Hatters will open against Boston University at 3 p.m. Friday, followed by a 5 p.m. game against George Mason.  Stetson will play again at 3 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Click here for a full weekend schedule.

Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets which start at just $5 for general admission are on sale and can be purchased online or at the Patricia Wilson Field box office.  Stetson students, faculty and staff are admitted free with an ID.

Home games will be streamed for free on HatterVision (GoHatters.com/watch).  Live stats, the Stetson softball twitter feed, and the HatCheck text messaging service will provide live updates as well.

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.

 
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Players Mentioned

Canaan Burnett

#13 Canaan Burnett

RHP
5' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
Blake Crews

#22 Blake Crews

C/UT
5' 10"
Senior
R/R
Danielle Diaz

#19 Danielle Diaz

IF/OF
5' 1"
Junior
L/R
Elizabeth Jackson

#18 Elizabeth Jackson

OF
5' 3"
Senior
L/R
Devin Lewis

#16 Devin Lewis

UTIL
5' 4"
Junior
R/R
Molly McLaughlin

#8 Molly McLaughlin

2B
5' 4"
Senior
R/R
Linda Ross

#3 Linda Ross

INF
5' 4"
Senior
R/R
Riley Russell

#11 Riley Russell

OF
5' 2"
Senior
L/R
Kara Saylor

#15 Kara Saylor

UTIL
5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
Lizzie Shubert

#23 Lizzie Shubert

SS
5' 8"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Canaan Burnett

#13 Canaan Burnett

5' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
RHP
Blake Crews

#22 Blake Crews

5' 10"
Senior
R/R
C/UT
Danielle Diaz

#19 Danielle Diaz

5' 1"
Junior
L/R
IF/OF
Elizabeth Jackson

#18 Elizabeth Jackson

5' 3"
Senior
L/R
OF
Devin Lewis

#16 Devin Lewis

5' 4"
Junior
R/R
UTIL
Molly McLaughlin

#8 Molly McLaughlin

5' 4"
Senior
R/R
2B
Linda Ross

#3 Linda Ross

5' 4"
Senior
R/R
INF
Riley Russell

#11 Riley Russell

5' 2"
Senior
L/R
OF
Kara Saylor

#15 Kara Saylor

5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
UTIL
Lizzie Shubert

#23 Lizzie Shubert

5' 8"
Junior
R/R
SS