Stetson Hatters
Overall rank: #26
Conference rank: #1 Atlantic Sun
Stetson Team Page
With a lot of pop in its bat to boot, Stetson definitely had the pitching to dominate the Atlantic Sun Conference and earn a trip to the NCAA tournament. Although South Carolina proved to be too tough in the end, Stetson proved they belonged in the tournament with two wins against North Carolina State. It was the Hatters’ first trip to the NCAA tourney since 2007 and the first time they won two games since 2003. A solid pitching staff in 2012 will help the Hatters get back to the tournament and could send them even further into the postseason.
2011: 43-20, 23-7
2011 Postseason: Eliminated in Columbia regional (beat North Carolina State twice, lost to South Carolina twice)
Coach: Pete Dunn
Field Players:
Infielder Ben Carhart (see Who to Watch) will anchor the hitting lineup thanks to his home-run pop, but there are plenty of other returning players to help guide the process along. Outfielder/first baseman Mitchel Brennan hit .347 in limited duty last year with 26 hits, three home runs and 18 runs batted in with only 75 at-bats under his belt. Outfielder Mark Jones (.333-5-37, 79 hits, 12 doubles) also wields a pretty potent bat. Infielder Robert Crews (.332-4-39, 83 hits, 12 doubles) and outfielder Kyle Zech (.290, five doubles in 69 AB) are also back. These should be enough to offset the loss of Nick Rickles, who hit .347 with 12 homers and 62 RBIs but has now graduated.
Pitchers:
The mound crew may be what wins Stetson another Atlantic Sun championship. Kurt Schluter posted a 1.40 earned run average and eight wins in only 10 starts, with 18 walks and 55 strikeouts. That shows great control and an ability to keep runs to a minimum. The other top pitcher, Jake Boyd, is a double threat with a 9-1 record and six saves in 38 appearances. Boyd also had a 2.93 ERA, 17 walks and 63 strikeouts. If that’s not enough, Robbie Powell’s eight saves, 5-3 record and 3.42 ERA… oh, and did we mention his 14 walks and 47 strikeouts… are also back. All seven of the top pitchers return to active duty and there will be backups thanks to incoming freshmen like Josh Powers, Drew Jackson and Ben Rakus.
Who to Watch:
Carhart was one of five Stetson hitters to post a batting average of above .300 last year. Four of those hitters return, with Carhart’s .323 average very much a part of the Hatters’ plans. His 81 hits, 39 runs, seven homers and 63 RBIs are huge, He does have the ability to pitch, but an injured elbow limited Carhart to hitting duties in 2011. Carhart, who was a 19th-round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2010 first-year player draft, will be a threat no matter if he can pitch. That bat alone is treacherous.
Final Projection:
With Rickles the only hitter gone that really made a difference in the Hatters’ lineup, not to mention the return of practically every pitcher and then some, anything less than 35 wins or another Atlantic Sun championship would be a disappointment. The reality is Stetson has what it takes to at least make it to the super-regional round. There is even a chance Stetson could go to the College World Series, but that would take some luck and skill to go the Hatters’ way. For now, expect another trip to the NCAA.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At bats: Ben Carhart, IF, 251
Hits: Robert Crews, IF, 83
Home Runs: Ben Carhart, IF, 7
RBIs: Ben Carhart, IF, 63
Runs: Robert Crews, IF, 53
Stolen Bases: Mark Jones, IF, 17
Wins: Jake Boyd, P, 9
Innings Pitched: Will Dorsey, P, 83.2
Strikeouts: Will Dorsey, P, 64
Saves: Robbie Powell, P, 8
