DeLAND, Fla. – Coming off back-to-back ASUN Championships and consecutive NCAA Regional appearances, Stetson Baseball isn't easing into 2026 — it's pushing forward with the same expectation that has become the program's identity: compete for titles every season. The Hatters went 41-22 last year, marking a second straight season with 40-plus wins, including a program-best 24-6 record in ASUN play.
For Head Coach Steve Trimper, the recent run of success has strengthened the foundation of the program without changing the mindset in the clubhouse. "We're trying to do for the Stetson baseball program what we talk about all the time — each and every year compete for championships," Trimper said. "This team has a lot of returning guys that have a ton of experience, but we also have some really new faces that are highly talented… and come together as a program to lead to a third consecutive championship."
Several key pieces from last year's squad moved on to professional baseball, including Lorenzo Meola, Isaiah Barkett, Jonathan Gonzalez, and Ty Van Dyke. Gonzalez capped a remarkable season by winning ASUN Pitcher of the Year, while both he and Van Dyke earned All-American honors. Despite that turnover, Trimper believes the returning talent provides a strong base for 2026.
The pitching staff features Jake Gorelick, who made 16 appearances last season and posted a 4-0 record with a 1.31 ERA across 41.1 innings, striking out 23 and recording three saves. His standout moment came in the ASUN Championship semifinals, tossing 6.2 innings and allowing just one run against Austin Peay. "You look at Gorelick," Trimper said. "He's earned a lot of respect around the league, and he's a guy we'll lean on both on the mound and in the clubhouse." As a staff, the Hatters posted a 4.29 ERA under pitching coach Daniel Latham and struck out 495 batters — the most since 2018.
Offensively, the return of Yohann Dessureault is a major boost. The 2024 home run leader, Dessureault hit 11 homers and 12 doubles on a .293 batting average before missing nearly all of 2025 due to injury. Trimper called his return "huge," adding, "He was arguably going to be in contention for player of the year last season. Getting him back in the lineup and in the clubhouse is huge." He is expected to anchor the lineup alongside Jayden Hylton, Foster Apple, and Juan "Chiki" De La Cruz, who emerged as a major contributor after stepping up during Dessureault's absence.
Stetson's culture — built on accountability, responsibility, and a blue-collar work ethic — remains the driving force behind the program's consistency. "Our culture is our rock," Trimper said. New players quickly learn what it takes to win at Stetson and what it means to represent the university and community. The addition of transfers such as Renzo Gonzalez, who brings high-level experience and a winning background, further strengthens the team's depth and leadership. Gonzalez was one of multiple touted transfers who will make his debut in DeLand next week, joining a group of six transfers from Power 4 schools. Included in that group is graduate outfielder Corey Robinson, who stayed close to home after spending the past couple seasons at UCF, and Sean Griggs from Alabama, who expects to play a key role on the Hatters hot corner.
The 2026 schedule is designed to challenge the Hatters while positioning them for potential NCAA at-large opportunities. Key matchups include road series at Arkansas and home-and-home games against Florida and Florida State, giving Stetson the chance to test itself against some of the nation's top programs throughout the season. The neutral-site rivalry game against UCF in Lakeland adds another unique twist, providing fans from both schools a chance to see the teams face off in central Florida, the first game of it's kind between the two.
Trimper emphasized the focus on improvement rather than past accolades. "We're not trying to be 2024. We're not trying to be 2018. We're trying to be the 2026 team that is a really good ball club… just a better version of what we've been in the past," he said. Every detail — from preparation to execution — is geared toward sustained success, with the goal of giving fans a product they can be proud of.
Under Trimper, who has 763 career wins, including 282 at Stetson, the Hatters have captured three ASUN titles and produced memorable NCAA Regional moments, including an 11-2 win over NC State in the Auburn Regional and a victory against Alabama in the Tallahassee Regional the prior year. With talent, experience, and a winning culture in place, Stetson Baseball looks ready to continue its championship-caliber run in 2026.
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.
