DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson Baseball has unveiled its 2026 schedule, featuring a mix of non-conference and ASUN matchups highlighted by high-profile home games at Melching Field and competitive road series against some of the nation's top programs. The season promises to showcase the Hatters' depth, experience, and championship pedigree following back-to-back ASUN Championships and consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.
Head Coach Steve Trimper, entering his 10th season at the helm, continues to lead a program defined by consistency, culture, and championship-level expectations. Under Trimper, Stetson has solidified its place among the nation's premier mid-major programs, posting 20 home wins last season and earning the program's 20th NCAA Tournament berth.
"This year's schedule, once again, will be a great test for our 2026 Hatters," said Trimper. "Being able to play a high strength of schedule with quality non-conference opponents, coupled with the ever strong ASUN division schedule, will certainly be a great test and allow us to try to play the best competition to continue to improve each and every week."
The Hatters open their season at home with a three-game stretch February 13–15, hosting Minnesota, Ball State, and St. John's. Stetson then welcomes Florida to Melching Field on February 17 before traveling to Gainesville the following day for the return matchup, giving fans an early look at the Hatters against one of college baseball's elite programs.
Non-conference play continues with North Dakota State, Virginia, Monmouth, and USC Upstate visiting DeLand, before Stetson wraps up February with a three-game series against Fordham from February 27 through March 1.
March opens with a midweek game at USF on March 3, followed by a four-game road series at Arkansas (March 6–9). Returning home, Stetson hosts Prairie View A&M on March 11 before opening ASUN play with a three-game home series against North Florida from March 13–15. The Hatters also welcome West Georgia (March 20–22) and UCF (March 24) before traveling to Fort Myers for a three-game set at Florida Gulf Coast (March 27–29). The month concludes with a home contest against Florida State on March 31.
April features a mix of conference matchups and in-state rivalries. Stetson travels to Jacksonville University for a three-game series April 2–4, followed by a midweek visit to UCF on April 7. The Hatters return home for a three-game series against Queens University (April 10–12) before heading to Tallahassee to face Florida State on April 14. Stetson then travels to Jacksonville for a three-game series against UNF (April 17–19) and returns home to host USF on April 21. A late-season road series at West Georgia (April 24–26) and a neutral-site matchup against UCF at Space Coast Stadium on April 28 round out the month.
May includes a three-game series against FGCU at Melching Field (May 1–3), a midweek game versus Bethune-Cookman on May 5, and a three-game home series against Jacksonville University (May 8–10). Stetson concludes regular-season play with a three-game road series at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina (May 14–16), before the ASUN Baseball Championship kicks off on May 19.
Trimper's 2026 roster blends 21 returning players with 21 newcomers, including eight freshmen and six transfers from Power 4 programs. Key returners include Apple Foster, an ASUN All-Freshman Team selection, and Juan De La Cruz, an All-ASUN Second Team honoree. Power-hitting second baseman Yohann Dessureault, who led the team in home runs in 2024, returns after missing nearly all of last season due to injury. He'll be joined by his younger brother Esteban, starting his collegiate career with the Hatters.
The coaching staff also features notable updates. Cameron Coons has been promoted to hitting coach, while Daniel Latham takes on an expanded role as Associate Head Coach, continuing to guide one of the ASUN's most productive pitching staffs. Stetson also welcomes veteran coach Greg Lovelady — a two-time national champion at Miami and former head coach at UCF and Wright State — whose experience and recruiting ties across Florida strengthen the program. Former Stetson catcher and New York Mets draftee Christian Pregent returns to the staff, bringing professional insight and familiarity with the Hatter culture.
With 31 home games at Melching Field, including matchups against Florida, Virginia, Fordham, Florida State, and Queens, Stetson fans will have plenty of opportunities to watch the Hatters in action.
The 2026 schedule is designed not just to challenge the team but also to prepare Stetson for postseason success, as the Hatters aim to continue their tradition of excellence and compete for another NCAA Tournament berth.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
