DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson Baseball received strong recognition in the ASUN Preseason Poll, as announced Thursday afternoon, with multiple Hatters earning individual honors and the program picked to repeat as Graphite Division champions.
Highlighting the preseason accolades, Jake Gorelick was named ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Gorelick, who anchored Stetson's pitching staff last season, made 16 appearances, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.31 ERA over 41.1 innings, striking out 23 and recording three saves. The senior left-hander played a key role in Stetson's postseason run, including a 6.2-inning gem in the ASUN Championship semifinals against Austin Peay, allowing just one run.
Joining Gorelick among the preseason award winners, Juan "Chiki" De La Cruz was honored as the ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. De La Cruz stepped into a starting role early last season when Yohann Dessureault went down with injury, turning in a .964 fielding percentage. In 166 chances, he assisted on 101 plays, committed just six errors, and helped turn 17 double plays while recording 59 putouts. Offensively, De La Cruz also contributed at the plate, hitting .297 with 45 runs, 55 hits, 42 RBIs, four home runs, 28 stolen bases, a .406 slugging percentage, and a .410 on-base percentage.
Stetson also placed two players on the Preseason All-ASUN Team, with Gorelick earning recognition on the mound and sophomore outfielder Foster Apple highlighted for his performance at the plate. Apple hit .303 with 66 hits, 32 runs, a .362 slugging percentage, and a .389 on-base percentage last season.
In addition to individual accolades, Stetson was selected by the other Graphite Division teams to repeat as division champions following their dominant 24-6 conference record and second consecutive ASUN title last season.
With a returning core of experienced players and a roster filled with high-level talent, the Hatters enter the 2026 season with high expectations and a target on their backs. Fans can expect Stetson to continue competing at the top of the ASUN while chasing another conference championship and NCAA Tournament opportunity.
Preseason All-ASUN Team
Name Pos. School
Cody Airington SP Austin Peay
Evan Dempsey SP FGCU
Chris Diaz SP FGCU
Jake Gorelick RP Stetson
Trevor Conley C Austin Peay
Cole Johnson 1B Austin Peay
Kyler Proctor 2B Austin Peay
Ray Velazquez 3B Austin Peay
Landon Akers SS Bellarmine
Zeb Allen OF Central Arkansas
Jonah Shields OF Jacksonville
Evan Dempsey OF FGCU
Foster Apple OF Stetson
Conner Spelman DH Jacksonville
*a tie in voting resulted in a 14-person team.
Gold Division Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Austin Peay (4) 34
2. Lipscomb 28
3. North Alabama (1) 23
4. Central Arkansas (1) 18
5. EKU 15
6. Bellarmine 8
Graphite Division Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Stetson (4) 34
2. FGCU (2) 30
3. Jacksonville 21
4. North Florida 19
5. West Georgia 12
6. Queens 1
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.
