MACON, Ga. – Highlighted by Patrick Mazeika (Wilbraham, Mazz.) becoming the fifth ever Hatter to be named Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year, six members of the Stetson baseball team were honored by the conference for their play during the 2013 season, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Mazeika, who led the A-Sun in overall batting (.392) and batting during conference contests (.439), was tabbed by the coaches as the top freshman in the league. Also recording 11 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 33 RBI, and a .498 on base percentage, Mazeika was selected to the All-Atlantic Sun Conference First Team, marking the 24th straight season the Hatters placed someone on the first team.
Junior Austin Perez (Loxahatchee, Fla.) earned All-Atlantic Sun Second Team honors after finishing the regular season with an overall record of 7-2 on the mound. The left-hander currently holds an ERA of 2.95, has recorded one complete game, and has thrown 60 strikeouts to just 24 walks.
Joining Mazeika (unanimous selection) on the A-Sun All-Freshman Team was a trio of first year Hatters. Kevin Fagan (Boca Raton, Fla.), Konner Lutz (Medicine Hat, Alberta), and Tyler Warmoth (Longwood, Fla.) all earned the accolades from the league for their performance on the field this season.
Fagan has played a multitude of roles for Stetson in 2013. Beginning the year as a two-way player, he continues to hold a 2.28 ERA in 11 appearances, but has not pitched since an April 5 start at Jacksonville. Fagan has continued to impress at the plate, batting a majority of the season at the leadoff position. The freshman is hitting .282 with three doubles, three triples, 30 walks, and a team-leading 44 runs scored.
Splitting time behind the plate and at third base, Lutz is currently batting .256 in 42 games played. The Canadian has added four doubles and 18 runs batted in for the Hatters. Warmoth, meanwhile, has played a pivotal role on the mound in his first season at Stetson. The freshman is second on the team with 30 appearances, and holds onto a 5-2 record with a 3.73 ERA.
Senior Joe Dye (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) was recognized by the league for his performance on the field and in the classroom. The reliever leads the Hatters with 32 appearances, all coming in relief outings, and currently holds a career-best 3.35 ERA. Dye, who has earned two degrees in his time at Stetson, was named to the A-Sun Academic All-Conference Team on Tuesday. The senior studied both Finance and Sport Management in DeLand, and has a cumulative GPA of 3.52.
These six Hatters will be honored by the league at the annual banquet on Tuesday night in advance of this week's Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. Stetson will be the five seed in the tournament, and will take on fourth seeded ETSU at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
The Championship will be held at Melching Field in DeLand, beginning Wednesday, and playing through Sunday. For more information, visit www.gohatters.com or www.atlanticsun.org. For ticket information, visit www.gohatters.com/tix or call 386-738-HATS.
