The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DAUNTE Stuart and his Northwestern State Demons head into the 2022 season with lofty expectations based on several noteworthy publications.

For the second straight year and the third time since 2019, the Demons were in the “receiving votes” category of Collegiate Baseball magazine’s Fabulous 50 preseason poll.

Stuart is one of 22 lettermen set to return to the Demons’ roster next season. The 5’11, 180-pound second baseman comes off a season of milestones where he was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine. He also became the first position player in school history to win the award and was named to the Southland Conference second team when the league announced its annual awards.

Stuart was the Demons leader in batting average (.278), doubles (13), home runs (7), RBIs (30) and total bases (84). He drew more walks than any other player in the Southland Conference and ranked 16th in the nation with 44. His walk total ranks sixth in school single-season history, one away from moving him into a three-way tie for fourth place.

After an 0-4 start, Stuart followed with a team long 10-game hitting streak which ran from February 21 to March 7, a team-leading 12 multi-hit games and tied for the team lead with eight multi-RBI games. Over the course of the streak Stuart homered in three of four games.

The Demons are set to open their season at home on February 18 against Stephen F Austin.