Stetson baseball fans will have a first opportunity to see the 2022 Hatters on Tuesday night at Melching Field when the Hatters host the Canadian Junior National Team.
 
Play at Melching is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and admission is free.
 
It will be the first of three days of competition against outside foes for the Hatters this fall. Stetson will host rival UCF on Friday night, October 29, at 5 p.m. and will then play at UCF the following week, on Friday, November 5, at 5 p.m. Admission to those games will also be free of charge.
 
Hatters coach Steve Trimper will enter his sixth season leading the Stetson program with a roster that includes 21 first-year players, not to mention new assistant coaches Shane Gierke and Shane Opitz.
 
The group of new Hatters includes a pair of transfers from the University of Kentucky – outfielder Cameron Hill and first baseman Trae Harmon – and a transfer from Clemson – right-handed pitcher Rasesh Pandya. The group also includes four transfers from the junior college ranks and 14 freshmen.
 
That group of freshmen includes two – infielder Yohann Dessureault and right-handed pitcher Simon Lusignan – who are familiar with Tuesday's opponent. Dessureault is a native of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, and Lusignan is from Boucherville, Quebec. Both were a part of the Canadian Junior National program in the past.
 
While there are plenty of new players for fans to watch, the Hatters also have a number of returning standouts from past seasons. The group includes infielders Banks Griffith, Kyle Ball and Brandon Hylton, along with outfielder Nick DiPonzio and catcher Christian Pregent.
 
On the mound the Hatters have a veteran cast returning for 2022, along with a talented group of newcomers. Tuesday's exhibition promises to see a lot of the new faces on the mound for Stetson.
 
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.