Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Before Baseball America releases their 2007 college baseball preseason rankings, which are expected next week, the magazine decided to do something a little different. BA compiled records and stats of all college baseball programs since 1999 and ranked the top 64 teams of the 64-team era. The Stetson Hatters of the Atlantic Sun Conference were ranked #50.

During the era Baseball America references, Stetson won three A-Sun Tourney titles in 2000, 2005 and 2006. They also reached the NCAA Regionals six times during the past eight years.

The Hatters have three A-Sun Players of the Year since 1999 as well. Frank Corr was awarded the honor in 2000, and Chris Westervelt won the award in 2002 and 2004. Head Coach Pete Dunn has won four conference Coach of the Year honors during his career, but none since 1999.

Stetson has had 15 players named to the All-Atlantic Sun First Team since 1999 and 20 athletes who have made either 2nd or 3rd Team. The Hatters have posted an overall record of 304-182 and 142-93 in the A-Sun since 1999.

Stetson is the defending A-Sun Conference Tournament champion and returns top players, senior starting pitcher, Chris Ignoglia, and junior closer, Robbie Elsemiller. Elsemiller led the Hatters in saves in 2006 with 14.

The University of Texas was the #1 ranked team after winning two national titles and reaching five College World Series in the past eight years.