The DII Report: Sunshine State Conference fall reports
Let's head to Florida and take a look at the conference with two of the winningest programs in DII baseball history
(Note from the author: DII Report faithful, I apologize. I am trying my hardest to stay afloat with the juggling act of life, but November and December are our two biggest magazine publications of the year. The real job has to come first. Between freelancing at Turner Sports, the DII Nation Podcast, and my real job, I had to put the Fall Reports on the back burner. If we’re being honest, in order for me to keep up with any regularity on this, I would have to make it a pay site, and my experience with DII, I would lose my readership. I hope you can enjoy this newsletter when I can, and I can assure you, the information will be what you are looking for.)
Fall ball is getting ready to wrap up, but the DII baseball fall reports keep rolling. This week, we head to Florida and check out the Sunshine State Conference.
For those new to DII baseball, many consider the SSC the cream of the crop. Tampa and Florida Southern are two of the more storied programs in the history of DII baseball with the most national championships of all time between the two. Schools like Nova Southeastern (J.D. Martinez, Miles Mikolas) pump out MLB Draft talent pretty regularly and schools like Rollins and Saint Leo make this a very deep conference.
2022 SSC DII baseball final standings
If you’re a long-time follower, you know these are quick hits, highlighting some players to get on your radar as the season approaches. If you are new, welcome to the DII Report: DII baseball fall reports.
Tampa
Head coach: Joe Urso
Returning players to watch: What’s bad news for the SSC is that Tampa has a bunch of returners including its top five hitters from last year. That includes power bat Dan Sullivan, veteran Drew Ehrhard, JD Urso, gold-glover Jordan Lala and EJ Cumbo.
Pitchers to watch: Michael Paul, RHP. Paul was a weekend starter the past two years and sits 88-91 mph with an improved slider and great feel for his changeup. He can throw all three for strikes anywhere in the count. Also back are Alex Canney (three-pitch mix and sits 88-91) and closer Braydon Nelson, coming off that All-American campaign that can hit 96 with a slider and change to go with it.
Newcomers to watch: Coach Urso has done it again. While it’s still early to tell, on paper, the Spartans will have a bunch of big-time incoming talent. Here is just a few from the list:
RHP Skylar Gonzalez (transfer from Polk State, projected weekend starter)
1B EJ Doskow (Gulf South Conference player of the year from Valdosta State)
RHP Beckett White (Chipola CC who sits in the mid-90s with a hard slider)
RHP Eli Thurmond (State College of Florida’s top starter last year, can hit 90 and has a plus changeup)
RHP Danny Rodriguez (Daytona State’s closer last year sits and 90-92 with three tough pitches)
2B Luis Rodriguez (transfer from DI Florida Gulf Coast)
C Danny Gutcher (transfer from Eckerd College that hit .300)
and freshman RHP Ashton Pocol was having a great fall.
What Coach Urso said: “Replacing bulldog ace Hayden Erbe (drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays) will be nearly impossible, but we are very excited about our pitching depth with all of our other impact arms back plus the addition of many top JUCO arms to fill main roles. Our offense has many established returners and has upgraded significantly in many areas.”
Florida Southern
Head coach: Lance Niekro
Returning player to watch: Jeff Liquori – 1B
Pitchers to watch: Nate Madej – SP (LHP)
Aric McAtee – SP (RHP)
Justin Stewart – Closer (RHP)
Newcomer to watch: Mitch Donofrio – transfer from Eckerd
Under-the-radar player to watch: El Rico Riley – transfer from Jackson State
Nova Southeastern
Head coach: Laz Gutierrez
Returning player to watch: Duncan Pastore, 2B. He and Adan Fernandez (now graduated) have been the key players for a few years. Coming off another solid season where he hit .370.
Pitcher to watch: Carlos Rey, LHP, is the ace and Michael Dillon, RHP, and Jaret Koos Krzyzanoski, RHP, are lethal weapons out of the bullpen.
Newcomer to watch: Ihosvany Castaneda is an outfield transfer from Barry that was second-team All-SSC last year. Catcher/first-baseman Kristian Noriega (a freshman) and RHP Ronaldo Fernandez from Florida Southwestern State are two to watch.
What Coach Gutierrez said: “I’m confident in the ‘23 team. The core of the team is back with a more athletic lineup this year.”
Saint Leo
Head coach: Rick O’Dette
Returning player to watch: Bobby Sparling, OF: The 2022 SSC and South Region player of the year has the ability to drive the ball to all parts of the park with power to all fields.
Pitcher to watch: Daniel Fregio, RHP. Fregio is sitting upper 80s to lower 90s with his fastball. He’ll likely be the Friday night starter. Keep your eyes on Andrew Hazzel and Brayden Heidel who can both reach the mid-90s with their stuff.
Newcomers to watch: I’m interested in a pair of newcomers. Brennan Reback transfers in from Virginia Tech. The outfielder missed last season due to injury. I’m also interested in Evan Wolf from Kent State, a RHP, that could be a nice addition to the staff and could pencil himself into the rotation on Saturdays.
What Coach O’Dette said: We are excited for 2023. Coming off last year’s success we return a majority of our roster and have added guys we believe will be contributors. Our guys have worked hard this fall and we are excited to get out this spring and compete.