SAN JOSE, Calif. — Former Stetson standout Lorenze 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.
"I have to admit I'm not shocked to see Zo leading another team to a championship," Stetson Head Coach Steve Trimper said. "He definitely has the skills to play at the highest level, but more importantly, he's a proven winner. I don't think this will be the last championship in his portfolio."
Meola posted a steady debut season in the California League, going 18-for-66 (.273) with three home runs, seven RBIs, and seven runs scored. At Stetson, he built a decorated career across 173 games, batting .304 with nearly 200 hits, 25 home runs, and 133 RBIs. He was also recognized as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year during his time in DeLand.
San Jose's championship marked the organization's eighth since becoming the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants in 1988. The Giants put together a league-best 81-51 record, including a dominant 54-20 run from late May to mid-August, before finishing the season on top.
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.
