GAME DAY INFORMATION
|
DATE: Feb. 16-19, 2024
TIME (Subject to Change):
Friday: 6:30 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM
Monday (DH): 10:00 AM
1:00 PM |
LOCATION: Melching Field at Conrad Park
DeLand, Fla. |
|
GAME DAY LINK
|
LIVE STATS
|
|
|
|
THE LEAD
The Hatters will take the field for the first time this season as they host the visiting Mountaineers of West Virginia University at Melching Field at Conrad Park. The Hatters are slated to play at 6:30 PM on Friday while Saturday's game has been rescheduled to 11:30 AM before taking the field on Monday for a double-header starting at 10:00 AM, however, these times are subject to change and fans should monitor the GoHatters website and social media.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Hatters and the Mountaineers have met three times before as Stetson holds a 2-1 record in the series history. The two last met on the diamond back on March 10, 1998 when the Mountaineers defeated the Hatters 6-4. Stetson took the first two meetings including their inaugural meeting back on March 8, 1995 when the Hatters commendably won 6-1.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (0-0, 0-0 ASUN)
Under the leadership of Head Coach
Steve Trimper, the Hatters delivered their best performance since 2018, finishing the 2023 season with a 35-23 overall record. Their success extended to conference play, where they boasted a 20-10 record, and their home field advantage was undeniable with a 25-10 home record.
Despite the departure of notable players
Christian Pregent and
Austin Amaral to the MLB Draft, the Hatters will see the return of several pivotal contributors from the previous season, including sophomore infielder
Landon Moran. Moran's performance in the prior season saw him maintain a batting average of .317, bolstering the lineup with 58 hits, 49 runs, and 36 RBIs, securing a top-three ranking in each category for the team.
Adding firepower are
Daniel Labrador and
Jayden Hylton, whose collective efforts yielded 18 home runs in the preceding year. Labrador led the charge with ten long balls, the most among returning players, while Hylton showcased a batting average of .272 and contributed 18 extra-base hits to the team's arsenal.
Brandon Hylton, also hit eight homeruns while leading the team with a .342 batting average.
Returning infielders
Lorenzo Meola and
Yohann Dessureault are set to fortify Stetson's defensive lineup, having also amassed a combined total of 85 hits in the 2023 season, including 33 extra-base hits. Meola's standout performance earned him recognition on the ASUN Third Team All-Conference and ASUN All-Freshman Team alongside Moran and Hylton.
On the pitching front, Anthony DeFabbia returns to the mound for Stetson, boasting six starts in 17 appearances during the previous season. With a 5.11 ERA and 53 strikeouts across 56.1 innings, DeFabbia maintained a 4-4 record while securing four saves.
Dylan Jacobs and Daniel Paret also demonstrated their prowess on the mound last season, with Jacobs notching a 3-2 record and 43 strikeouts in 37.2 innings, while Paret led the team with nine starts, striking out 42 batters while limiting opposing hitters to a .227 average.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS (0-0, 0-0 Big12)
The Mountaineers return 17 players from last years Big 12 Championship roster including reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and unanimous All-American JJ Wetherholt. The junior hit a nation-best .449 while tallying 16 home runs, 24 doubles, 60 RBI and 36 stolen bases. In D1Baseball's position power rankings, Wetherholt clocked in as the No. 1 shortstop in the country. He is also considered a top prospect for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Other key returners for WVU include catcher Logan Sauve, first baseman Grant Hussey, and pitcher David Hagaman, who all earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention status in 2023 along with Major. In D1Baseball's power rankings, Hussey was ranked as the No. 49 first baseman while Major came in as the No. 102 starting pitcher.
The Mountaineers are led by coach Randy Mazey, who enters his 12th and final season at West Virginia. Included in his resume in Morgantown are an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017, hosting an NCAA Regional in 2019, and four consecutive Big 12 Championship semifinal appearances from 2016-19, and a Big 12 regular-season championship in 2023.
Following last season's 40-20 record, the Mountaineers were selected sixth in the 2024 BIG 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
NEXT UP
Stetson will stay at home to host Maine, Army and Fordham for a round-robin tournament at Melching Field at Conrad Park from Feb 23-25.
