DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson Baseball is preparing for the 2026 season with a mix of returning talent, new additions, and coaching updates as the program continues its momentum from recent championship campaigns.
Coaching Staff Updates
Head Coach Steve Trimper enters his tenth season leading the Hatters after guiding the program to back-to-back ASUN Championship titles and NCAA Regional appearances.
The Hatters announced several staff updates this fall. Cameron Coons has been promoted to hitting coach, while Daniel Latham takes on an expanded role as Associate Head Coach, continuing to oversee Stetson's pitching staff.
The program also welcomes Greg Lovelady to DeLand. Lovelady was a four-year letterwinner and catcher at Miami, helping the Hurricanes win College World Series titles in 1999 and 2001. He later led both Wright State and UCF to NCAA Regional appearances as a head coach. Former Miami head coach Jim Morris called the addition: "Welcome home to the Lovelady family. Coach Greg was an outstanding Team Captain at Miami and helped us win a National Championship in '99 and '01. Stetson's Head Coach Trimper has added a talented coach to his staff. Congrats, Love."
Lovelady's addition has drawn praise from across the baseball community. Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said, "What a perfect fit for Coach Trimper and Coach Lovelady!! Greg has supreme experience at every level as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. His deep connection in the state of Florida will especially serve the program well and I have no doubt great success on the field is in the very near future!"
Todd Fitz-Gerald, head coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, added, "As a high school coach in Florida, really excited to have Coach Lovelady back in the Sunshine State. He is a great human being and an outstanding baseball person. Really excited to continue building our relationship through him with Stetson University. He knows how to spot talent and relate to people. Look forward to the future of the program with him leading the recruiting."
Returning to the staff is fan favorite Christian Pregent, a former Stetson catcher and 10th-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 2023. Pregent's experience at both the collegiate and professional levels will be valuable in developing the next group of Hatters.
Roster Breakdown
The Hatters' 2025–26 roster features 21 returners and 21 newcomers, including eight freshmen. Of the returners, 11 are hitters and 10 are pitchers, while the newcomers include 10 hitters and 11 pitchers. The roster includes six transfers from Power 4 programs, including two from Alabama, adding experience from top conferences. Stetson also continues to draw heavily from Florida talent, with 24 players on the roster from the state.
Key returners include Apple Foster, an ASUN All-Freshman team member, and Juan De La Cruz, who earned All-ASUN Second Team honors. Yohann Dessureault, the team leader in home runs in 2024, returns after missing nearly all of last season with an injury. He will join his brother, Esteban Dessureault, who will begin his collegiate career as a freshman.
Fall Schedule
Stetson will take the field twice this fall at Melching Field, hosting Seminole State College on Wednesday, October 30, followed by the State College of Florida Manatees on Friday, November 7, at 5:00 p.m. Both exhibitions will give fans an early look at the Hatters' lineup and energy heading into 2026.
Annual Baseball Golf Outing
The program will kick off Homecoming Weekend with its annual Baseball Golf Outing on Friday, October 24, at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood, Fla.
The event begins with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and range access at 11 a.m., with a 12 p.m. shotgun start. A Homecoming tradition, the outing brings together alumni, fans, and friends of the program in support of Stetson Baseball. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/4pYqxOB.
Hatters in the Pros
Alumni continued to make their mark at the professional level this summer. Jacob deGrom started 30 games for the Texas Rangers, earning All-Star honors while recording 12 wins, 185 strikeouts, and maintaining a sub-3.00 ERA. Fellow Hatter Logan Gilbert made 25 regular season starts for the Seattle Mariners, striking out 173 batters in a six-win season that included a postseason start against the Detroit Tigers, where he allowed just one run over six innings with seven strikeouts in a Mariners victory.
Former Stetson standout shortstop Lorenzo Meola added another title to his résumé, helping the San Jose Giants capture the 2025 California League championship with a 2–0 series sweep over the Inland Empire 66ers. The Giants sealed the crown with a 4–2 victory in Tuesday's decisive game at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. A proven winner, Meola capped his first professional season with a championship, just months after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. No stranger to success, the shortstop played a key role in the Hatters' back-to-back ASUN Championships and NCAA Regional appearances during his collegiate career.
Season Tickets on Sale
Fans can secure their seats to catch all the action as the Hatters take the field against a competitive slate of opponents, including several in-state rivals. Season tickets are available at bit.ly/4nOGNj7, or by calling (386) 738-4287 or emailing hattertickets@stetson.edu for more information.
The Hatters are coming off a 41-22 season, highlighted by 24 ASUN wins, a Graphite Division title, and the program's 20th NCAA Tournament appearance. Stetson also posted 20 home victories at Melching Field in 2025.
Stay tuned to @StetsonBaseball, @StetsonHatters, and GoHatters.com for more news and updates throughout the fall, including the upcoming release of the 2026 schedule. Don't miss your chance to be part of the excitement—secure your seats today and cheer on the Hatters all season long!
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.
