Softball Season Preview 2014 Schedule
The 30th season of Stetson fastpitch softball has arrived, and with it, the goals and expectations of a new year. The Hatters went 31-22 in 2013 and set an alltime program record with 45 home runs. The offense looks to pick up where it left off a season ago with the return of homerun leaders Meredith Owen (11) and Demi Meza (10). The pair became the first in Stetson history with double-digit home-run totals in the same season, and with 35 of those 45 long balls returning in 2014, there is reason to be optimistic. “I think our offense is going to be able to do a good job,” said head coach Frank Griffin. “I don’t know if this will be another record-breaking year, but I do know that we have the talent to score some runs.” Stetson scored at a blistering pace last year, plating 4.6 runs per game, its highest season average since 2005. Griffin thinks that total may go up this season with the team’s potent combination of power and speed. “This is perhaps overall the fastest team I’ve had in my career,” Griffin explained. “We also have a lot of pop to go with it, so I think we are going to score some runs, especially as the season goes on.” One of the fastest Hatters is senior Chrissy Morello, who will anchor the outfield for Griffin once again in 2014. The four-year starter has led her team in steals each of the past three seasons and has swiped 67 bags to date. To complement the Hatter offense is a veteran pitching corps, which returns all four components from a year ago. Seniors Sarah Read and Owen return for their
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final seasons in DeLand, and are joined in the circle by juniors Courtney Brandt and Taylor Cochran. Owen led all Hatter hurlers last season with a 1.96 ERA and a 22-10 record in 207.2 innings pitched, while Brandt picked up eight victories during her 20 appearances. “I am really pleased with the depth we have on the mound, and all four pitchers have improved since last season,” Griffin said. “Sarah has had the most improvement because last year she was recovering from arm surgery, so there is a huge difference in her performance.” Backing up the pitching will be a solid defensive unit, highlighted by a trio of 2013 A-Sun All-Freshman team members. Infielders Kayla Drury and Brittany Hawn combined for 161 putouts and 191 assists during their first season of collegiate ball, and are looking to become even stronger with the glove during their sophomore campaigns. “I would like to have an infield that makes routine plays routinely,” Griffin said. “No big flashy plays or bobbling of the ball, and I feel confident that the players we have out there will do just that.” The Hatters also boast depth behind the plate with junior Allison Sutherlin and the third A-Sun All-Freshman team member in now-sophomore Jessica Griffin. Four newcomers will make their Stetson debuts this spring as well. The Hatters open the season Feb. 7-8 as they host Michigan State and Rhode Island in the annual Stetson Lead-Off Classic.
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Date # Opponent Time FEBRUARY 7 Fri. 1 Michigan State 4:00 PM 7 Fri. 1 Rhode Island 6:30 PM 8 Sat. 1 Rhode Island 4:00 PM 8 Sat. 1 Michigan State 6:30 PM 14 Fri. 2 Elon 4:00 PM 14 Fri. 2 Campbell 6:30 PM 15 Sat. 2 Campbell 4:00 PM 15 Sat. 2 Bethune-Cookman 6:30 PM 16 Sun. 2 Bethune-Cookman 12:00 PM 28 Fri. 3 vs. Princeton 5:00 PM 28 Fri. 3 vs. College of Charleston 7:00 PM MARCH 1 Sat. 3 vs. UT Martin 1:30 PM 1 Sat. 3 vs. SIU-Edwardsville 6:00 PM 7 Fri. 4 Memphis 4:00 PM 7 Fri. 4 South Dakota 6:30 PM 8 Sat. 4 South Dakota 4:00 PM 8 Sat. 4 Memphis 6:30 PM 11 Tue. * USC Upstate (DH) 4:00 PM 12 Wed. * USC Upstate 4:00 PM 15 Sat. * at Mercer (DH) 1:00 PM 16 Sun. * at Mercer 1:00 PM 18 Tue. * Marist (DH) 4:00 PM 19 Wed. * Buffalo 6:00 PM 22 Sat. * at ETSU (DH) 1:00 PM 23 Sun. * at ETSU 11:00 AM 26 Wed. Bethune-Cookman 6:00 PM 29 Sat. * Florida Gulf Coast (DH) 1:00 PM 30 Sun. * Florida Gulf Coast 1:00 PM APRIL 5 Sat. * at Northern Ky. (DH) 12:00 PM 6 Sun. * at Northern Ky. 11:00 AM 12 Sat. * at Kennesaw State (DH) 1:00 PM 13 Sun. * at Kennesaw State 1:00 PM 18 Fri. * Lipscomb (DH) 12:00 PM 19 Sat. * Lipscomb 10:00 AM 26 Sat. * Jacksonville (DH) 2:00 PM 27 Sun. * Jacksonville 1:00 PM 30 Wed. * at North Florida (DH) 5:00 PM MAY 1 Thur. * at North Florida 2:00 PM 7-10 We.-Sat. at A-Sun Championship TBA 15-18 Th.-Sun. at NCAA Regionals TBA 22-25 Th.-Sun. at NCAA Super Regionals TBA 29-J4 Th.-Wed. at WCWS TBA - Stetson Lead-Off Classic, DeLand, Fla. 1 2 - Hatter Invitational, DeLand, Fla. 3 - UCF Tournament, Orlando, Fla. 4 - Stetson Classic, DeLand, Fla. * - Atlantic Sun Conference game All times Eastern and subject to change Home games in bold and played at Patricia Wilson Field
February 2014