The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING a breakout campaign as a sophomore, expectations loom large for Daunte Stuart headed into the upcoming 2022 campaign as one of the top players in the Southland Conference.

The Northwestern State infielder was named a preseason All-Southland Conference first team selection based on his performances in the 2021 season.

Stuart, at 5’11 180 pounds, played last season predominantly at second base and was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine. He became the first position player in school history to win the award.

He was also previously 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.

Another season highlight came in his team’s four-game sweep over Nicholls’ State when he went 4-11 with four runs, four RBI, and the first multi home-run game of his career.

In game two, Stuart had a career outing when he went 2-2 with four RBI, drew four walks, scored four runs and hit two home runs in a 13-6 win. Defensively, Stuart was a part of a team best 22 double plays. He improved his numbers from a true freshman season where he started all 16 games at second base. He was one of three Demons to swipe three bases and finished third on the team in batting average with .281 and included a nine-game hit streak.

The Demons open their 2022 season by hosting former Southland Conference rival Stephen F Austin at 6:30pm February 18 at Brown-Stroud Field in Natchitoches, Louisiana.