Friday, January 29, 2010

MACON, Ga. – As the 2010 NCAA Division I Softball season approaches, the Atlantic Sun Conference takes a look at each team leading up to the start of the season. Today, we focus in on Stetson.

Overview
In 2009, the Hatters amassed an overall record of 23-31 and tallied a 5-15 mark in league play as Stetson returns six starters, three pitchers and 7 of 11 letterwinners. Head coach Frank Griffin returns for his 14th season with the Hatters. This season, Stetson hopes to return to postseason play, last accomplished in 2007 at the Gainesville, Fla. Regional. In 2009, the Hunter Green and White tallied a neutral home record of 21-21 at Patricia Wilson Field in DeLand, Fla. 2010 marks the third consecutive season in which the home of the Hatters will host more games than any other NCAA Division I facility, including its fourth consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference Championship.

Top Returners
Amanda Lindsey enters the spring season as Stetson’s top pitcher after the Byhalia, Miss. native finished the 2009 season at 12-15 with 1.74 ERA, 188 strikeouts in 26 starts and three relief appearances in the circle. The senior recorded four shutouts, averaging more than seven strikeouts per seven innings. At the plate, Lindsey batted .238 with four home runs, collected two doubles, 17 RBI and drew 22 walks. The senior also claimed an A-Sun Pitcher of the Week award on March 16.

Amy Joyce returns as the Hatter’s top hitter after a spectacular junior season with Stetson. Joyce started all 54 games in center field and earned Second-Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team honors. The senior outfielder led the Hatters with a .320 batting average, a team-high 54 base hits, 35 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, six RBIs, 28 walks and a .414 on-base percentage. The psychology major carries an active seven-game hitting streak into 2010 and ended the 2009 season hitting safely in 11 of the Hatters’ last 12 games.

Newcomers
Stetson has six new players for the 2010 season in five freshmen and one junior transfer.

Junior infielder Jill Semento, a native of Umatilla, Fla., transferred from South Carolina where she earned NFCA All-Southeast Region honors last season. Semento hit eight home runs and 12 doubles in her two seasons with the Gamecocks.

Catcher Jordan Cleghorn, pitcher Courtney Gunby and first baseman Tara Formisano, along with outfielders Lindsey Guenther and Chelsea Whalley, comprise the freshman class. All are expected to see significant action and compete for starting jobs right away.

Schedule
Stetson opens the 2010 season by hosting the Stetson Leadoff Classic February 12-14. Marshall, Michigan State and Missouri State join the Hatters in the tournament field.

The Hatters begin conference play against the UNF Ospreys on March 17 at Patricia Wilson Field, and will play 44 of their 53 games with home field advantage in DeLand, Fla.

Fans can follow the Atlantic Sun on Twitter and on Facebook. Visit twitter.com/AtlanticSun to begin receiving updates on conference news, weekly awards, and from A-Sun championships. Atlantic Sun followers with a Facebook account can become a "fan" of the conference by visiting facebook.com/AtlanticSunConference.

11 Days of Atlantic Sun Softball Schedule
Jan. 28 – Belmont
Jan. 29 – Stetson
Feb. 1 – ETSU
Feb. 2 – Kennesaw State
Feb. 3 – Jacksonville
Feb. 4 – UNF
Feb. 5 – USC Upstate
Feb. 8 – Mercer
Feb. 9 – Lipscomb
Feb. 10 – FGCU
Feb. 11 – Campbell