The Stetson baseball team has gotten off to the best start in program history, and that 9-0 start to the season has everyone around the program excited.
 
But the heavy-lifting part of the schedule is just about to get started and, to survive, the Hatters must be ready to play their best every time they step on the field.
 
The treacherous stretch of schedule begins tomorrow night at Melching Field when the Hatters host UCF in the second, and final, scheduled game of the year between the rivals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast by ESPN+ with Evan Weston and Messod Bendayan on the call of the action.
 
Pollsters around college baseball have been so impressed by Stetson's start to the 2021 season that the Hatters are ranked in just one poll – Collegiate Baseball has Stetson at No. 20. College coaches who vote in the USA Today poll think so highly of the Hatters that not a single one put Stetson on their ballot.
 
The Hatters can change that over the next three weeks. Hatters' opponents include UCF (3-4), South Florida (4-3), former No. 1, current No. 6, Florida (6-2), No. 23 Alabama (7-1), Wichita State (2-3) and FIU (4-3), leading up to the ASUN opening series against FGCU (6-2), who is also receiving votes.
 
Basically all 18 games scheduled during the month of March are against teams that are ranked, are receiving votes or are among the teams traditionally in or around the top 25.
 
Talk about throwing down the gauntlet!
 
Stetson will send redshirt sophomore Bret Neilan (1-0) to the mound on Wednesday, hoping he can continue his mastery of UCF. He worked 5.2 shutout innings against the Knights last week, allowing just three hits.
 
He will be opposed by redshirt junior right-hander Jack Sinclair who has pitched in relief three times this year, but hasn't started a game since 2018. Sinclair has allowed five runs on six hits in 3.1 innings this year, while also allowing five walks.
 
If history tells us anything, it is that Sinclair will only be in for a short stretch. Over the last six games against Stetson, UCF has averaged using six pitchers per game.
 
Other things to watch on Wednesday:

• Eric Foggo has three home runs in the last two games against UCF. He had two hits, including a home run, in the game last week. His next homer will move him into the top 25 on Stetson's career list.
• Wednesday's game will mark the 200^th career start for Stetson infielder Jorge Arenas. He is tied for third among all active players in Division I in career games played.
• Andrew MacNeil currently leads the nation in both walks per game and runs scored. He has actually scored as many runs this year (14) as the Stetson pitching staff has allowed.
• MacNeil hit .375 last week, scoring nine times in five games. His week also included a grand slam in the series opener against North Alabama.

 
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.