Stetson Outlook

W-L: 10-9

Quality Wins: Bethune-Cookman

Bad Losses: Princeton, Maine, Fairfield, and Back-to-Back season home-opening losses to St. Joseph's

Team Information:

This Stetson club is young and inexperienced. Head Coach Pete Dunn probably wishes the trip to Tallahassee was a little later in the year, due to the seven new starters Dunn showcases in his lineup.

Stetson had seven players drafted last year. Six of them signed and one returned (Kurt Schluter, RHP).

Stetson is patient at the plate and likes to work counts, similar to the approach of Florida State. They lack middle of the order punch with only two team homeruns, but have some guys in those spots that have been consistently getting on base. They are currently 165th in the country in team hitting.

The Stetson defense has been suspect. They are second to last in the Atlantic Sun Conference with 32 errors on the season. This is a direct reflection of the four new starters on the infield.

Stetson does not match up well with the 'Noles. Their bats have not woken up this season and they face an FSU pitching staff ranked that is currently ranked fifth in the country with an ERA of 1.73.

They have played well in midweek games this season beating Bethune-Cookman and FIU for two of their better victories.

Players to Watch:

2 Kevin Fagan- FR-OF/ IF/RHP - Fagan was a 39th-round selection in the 2012 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. He is a speedy utility guy who plays each position very well. He has a feel for the game beyond his years. The freshman has gotten off to a slow start this season (.200/10 R/12 RBI), but could be primed for a breakout series at Dick Howser. Fagan is seen as a four-tool guy, with his power not far away from making him a serious professional prospect. Possesses gap-to-gap power and can really ignite his club with his speed and aggressiveness on the bases.

17 James Rasmussen- SR- OF - Rasmussen has improved steadily during his time at Stetson and has earned a spot as the cleanup hitter for this young Stetson ball club. Has been very productive for the Hatters this season (.304/13 R/8 RBI), and boasts a strong outfield arm. His father is the Dean of the College of Social Science and Public Policy at Florida State and James attended Chiles High School in Tallahassee.

Patrick Mazeika - FR- 1B - The freshman from Massachusetts has been a key piece to Dunn's lineup (.391/1 HR/11 RBI/15 R). He is a wiry left hander that has great patience at the plate (13 BB ). Mazeika has spent most of the year in the 3-hole for the Hatters.

Probable Lineup:

1. Fagan 2B- .200/ 10 R/ 12 RBI - Has wheels and sets the table well with aggressive "gamer" mentality
   
2. Blackman CF- .244/ 6 R/ 7 BB- Patient hitter with a smooth stroke; will be aggressive if challenged but usually tries to give his team a good, productive at-bat
   
3. Mazeika 1B- .391/ 1 HR/ 11 RBI- Sweet swinging lefty reminds me of KC Royals 1B Eric Hosmer at the plate; patient (Top 5 in A-Sun BB); Possesses some of the best power on the team
   
4. Rasmussen LF - .304/ 13 R/ 8 RBI - Leads team with 7 doubles; doesn't try and do too much and stays within himself well; threat to steal on the bases
   
5. Russini C -.274/ 1 HR/ 13 RBI - Left handed hitting catcher always gets a scouts attention; leads the team in RBI
   
6. Garmendia 3B- .239/ 10 R/ 12 RBI- 19^th round draft choice in the 2012 MLB Draft has gotten off to slow start; 18 K; has been productive though in tough spots (12 RBI)
   
7. Bruce RF- .405/ 7 R/ 5 RBI- smooth, flat swing from the left side; productive bottom of the order guy
   
8. Brennan DH- .191/ 4 2B/ 8 RBI
   
9. Smith SS- .180/ 9 R/ 2 RBI Shows a lot of range at SS but has a below average arm; hasn't figured it out at the plate yet after transferring from JUCO
   

FSU's Keys to the Series:

Florida State has to come ready to play. If they come out and don't give Stetson the entitlement that they belong on the field with the 'Noles, then they should take care of business handily. They can't let the young Hatters get comfortable.

Florida State must put pressure on the suspect Hatters defense, and make their pitchers earn outs.

Must keep Kevin Fagan and K'Shawn Smith off of the base paths

FSU's pitchers should go right at these hitters. They like to see a lot of pitches, so FSU should take advantage by getting ahead in counts.

Expected Participant List

DE Tank Carradine

LB Cory Cox

DT Everett Dawkins

LS Dax Dellenbach

OL Daniel Glauser

K Dustin Hopkins

DE Brandon Jenkins

TE Jonathan Johnson

QB EJ Manuel

DT Anthony McCloud

LB Nick Moody

DB Xavier Pryce

FB Lonnie Pryor

LS/H Chris Revell

CB Xavier Rhodes

RB Debrale Smiley

WR Rodney Smith

DE Toshmon Stevens

LB Sean Tidmus

RB Chris Thompson

OL Menelik Watson

DE Bjoern Werner

LB Vince Williams

Former Players

OL Alex Barron

CB Avis Commack

DB Jajuan Harley

DL Travis Johnson

CB Greg Reid

TE Beau Reliford

DB Terrance Parks

RB Jermaine Thomas

You coached a lot of players over the years and many of those guys have gained a lot of weight after football, which some believe shortens life spans. Would you comment?

Bowden:  Most athletes after they quit playing and performing do gain weight because they are used to eating what they want and they don't burn the calories off like they used to. As linemen, Joe and Henry were big to begin with so it's natural that they would get even larger after they quit playing

Do you think Joe and Henry are good examples for America and for former athletes alike?

Bowden:  I hope Joe wins the Biggest Loser. He and his brother Henry have both lost over 100 pounds. They are setting a good example for America and for our former Athletes and that is what people need to see. If Joe and Henry can do it so can you.

They say that former football players die younger than they should because of the weight they carry. Have you seen that?

Bowden:  So many of our former athletes do die earlier and its usually because of obesity and its usually because they stop exercising something they did all the time. I see our former players who go off to the NFL coming back 30, 40 50 pounds bigger. America can learn from what Joe and Henry are doing, especially you athletes need to pay attention.

You were diagnosed as a type-two diabetic and dealt with weight loss. What did you do?

Bowden:  I lost 20 pounds after I quit coaching because I knew I like to eat and knew I wouldn't be as active as I was when I was coaching. I get out and play golf, hit balls, when I am not out speaking. I like to eat so I am careful of what I eat and I do exercise. I'd like to lose five more.