FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Interview with Coach Rooney and Coach Godwin
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – Getting ready to enter his second season as head coach of the UCF baseball program, Terry Rooney was pleased to announce his first recruiting class on Monday. The class features 21 players with 10 bringing in experience from the junior college ranks and six who were previously selected in the MLB Draft. It also is made up of 18 student-athletes from the Sunshine State and eight who call the Central Florida area home.
"I am extremely pleased to announce our first recruiting class as a coaching staff here at UCF," said Rooney. "I would like to commend the efforts of our recruiting coordinator Cliff Godwin and assistant coach Jeff Palumbo. They have both worked extremely hard in the last year to assemble what I feel is one the best recruiting classes in the nation.
"It was extremely important to recruit a collection of players that understand the expectations of this program, both on and off the field. From a talent standpoint with an impressive combination of high school and junior college players, including six players that have been drafted in their careers by professional baseball, we have laid the foundation for future success. It is my belief that this recruiting class will be viewed in the coming years as the group who helped bring UCF baseball back to the upper echelon of college baseball."
Rooney along with Godwin and Palumbo added 11 arms for the 2010 campaign, including four southpaws, while also welcoming 10 position players.
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class B/T Hometown (High School/Junior College) Brian Adkins LHP 6-0 165 Fr. L/L Orlando, Fla. (University) Alex Besaw RHP 6-2 220 Jr. R/R Eugene, Ore. (Sheldon/Skagit Valley CC) J.M. Blake RHP 6-1 195 Jr. R/R Lady Lake, Fla. (Leesburg/Lake-Sumter CC) Chase Bradford RHP 6-1 205 Jr. R/R Henderson, Nev. (Silverado/Southern Nevada) Ryan Breen C 5-10 180 Fr. S/R Palm City, Fla. (South Fork) Anthony Caronia IF 5-11 160 Fr. L/R Orlando, Fla. (Bishop Moore) Nick Cicio LHP 5-10 155 Jr. L/L Baltimore, Md. (Perry Hall/CCBC Catonsville) Gregg Cooke RHP 6-7 190 Fr. R/R Tampa, Fla. (Sickles) Owen Dew RHP 6-2 170 Jr. R/R Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln/Seminole CC) Jonathan Griffin IF 6-6 210 Jr. R/R Bradenton, Fla. (Lakewood Ranch/Manatee CC) Michael Holmes IF 6-1 190 Jr. R/R Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian/Gulf Coast CC) Austin Johnston IF 6-3 185 Fr. R/R Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven) Derek Luciano IF 6-3 200 Jr. L/R Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee/Manatee CC) Ronnie Richardson OF/IF 5-8 175 Fr. S/R Eagle Lake, Fla. (Lake Region) Scott Robinson RHP 6-3 195 Fr. R/R Seminole, Fla. (Seminole) Joe Rogers LHP 6-1 190 Fr. L/L Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven) Johnny Sedlock LHP 5-10 160 Jr. L/L Avon Park, Fla. (Avon Park/South Florida CC) Jack Sterritt RHP 6-6 200 Fr. R/R Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (University Christian School) Darnell Sweeney IF 6-1 160 Fr. S/R Miramar, Fla. (American Senior) Chris Taladay C/IF 6-1 200 Fr. L/R Windermere, Fla. (Olympia) Kevin Vasquez IF/OF 6-0 200 Jr. R/R Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby/Pensacola Jr. College)
LHP, FR, 6-0/165
Orlando, Fla. (University)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Four-year varsity pitcher for coach Rodney Beatty at University High School
-Holds the all-time career wins record for the school with 23
-Voted most valuable player as a senior
-Struck out 229 in 199.0 career innings pitched, walking only 36
-All-county honoree as a sophomore and a junior after winning seven games each season
-All-Metro Conference Second Team in 2008 after striking out 85 batters
-University had over 20 wins and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the state tournament from 2007-08
-Helped FTB Mizuno win the 2009 USSSA National Championship
-Member of the Central Florida Renegades that played in the 2008 World Wood Bat Association World Championship
Personal
-Born Jan. 13, 1991
-Son of Kenneth and Lisa Adkins
-Has one sister, Lianne, who played for the Southern Wesleyan University softball team
RHP, JR, 6-2/220
Eugene, Ore. (Sheldon/Oregon State/Skagit Valley CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 32nd round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays
-Spent sophomore season at Skagit Valley CC under coach Kevin Matthews
-Earned All-NWAACC Second Team honors with Skagit Valley
-Went 5-1 with a 4.09 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 50.2 innings
-Member of Oregon State’s and Pat Casey’s program as a freshman in 2008
-Played for coach Kenny Niles at Sheldon High
-Named all-league first-team and all-state third-team as a senior
-Hit .411 and was 7-3 with an ERA under 1.00 that season
-Conference’s player of the year as a junior and also was a first-team all-state pitcher
-Was 8-1 with a 0.80 ERA that season, and also went .475 with 24 RBI at the plate
-Received second-team all-league recognition as a sophomore, going 4-1
Personal
-Born Aug. 24, 1988
-Son of Nancy and Randy Besaw
-Has two brothers, Aaron and Kyle
RHP, JR, 6-1/205
Lady Lake, Fla. (Leesburg/Lake-Sumter CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 32nd round by the San Francisco Giants in the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft
-Ranked 45th nationally in Perfect Game’s Top 250 JUCO Prospect chart
-Helped the Leesburg Lightning claim the Florida Collegiate Summer League title in 2009
-Member of the Lake-Sumter CC team as a freshman and sophomore, playing for head coach Rich Billings
-Sat down 41 on strikes in 39.2 innings last year, and had a 4.79 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 20.2 innings in conference play
-Named to the all-conference academic team
-Went 3-3 with four saves in his first year with the Lakers
-Collected six saves and a 0.90 ERA, as well as a spot on the all-star team, in the Florida Collegiate Summer League in 2008
-Played for coaches Ryan Peavey and David Lee at Leesburg High School
-Was a Daily Commercial all-area team selection while hitting .376 with 31 RBI and six homers
-Went .397 at the plate and was the Defensive Player of the Year at shortstop as a sophomore
-Named to the Florida JUCO All-Star Team in the fall of 2008
Personal
-Born John Michael Blake on March 8, 1989
-Son of John and Sandra Blake
-Has two brothers, Josh and Seth, and one sister, Brittany
RHP, JR, 6-1/195
Henderson, Nev. (Silverado/Southern Nevada)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Competed for coach Tim Chambers at the College of Southern Nevada
-Collected a 4-1 record in nine starts and 16 appearances, hurling one complete game shutout in 2009
-Finished with a 3.83 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 56.1 innings
-Held a 3.68 ERA with a 3-1 record as a freshman to help the squad win the Scenic West Athletic Conference title
-Made 12 appearances and two starts, recording two saves and 20 strikeouts in 29.1 innings
-Pitched and played third base for coach Brian Whitaker at Silverado High School in Las Vegas
-Posted a 2.50 ERA and a 5-4 record in 69 innings as a senior, striking out 70 batters
-First-Team All-Southern Nevada and second-team all-state selection senior year
-Earned first-team all-state, First-Team All-Southern Nevada and First-Team All-Sunrise Region recognition while going 11-0 with a 0.65 ERA in 65 innings as a junior
-A Louisville Slugger Second Team All-American as a junior
-The Skyhawks went 45-5 in 2006 en route to the Sunrise Regional title and serving as the Nevada state runner-up
Personal
-Born Aug. 5, 1989
-Son of Doug and Lauren Bradford
-Has one brother, Mark, who played baseball at Oxnard Community College in California last year
C, FR, 5-10/180
Palm City, Fla. (South Fork)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Part of coach Mike Harper’s battery at South Fork High School
-Won the 2009 5A state title with South Fork, including a regional quarterfinal that saw him hit two home runs, one from each side of the plate
-Selected to the 2009 Florida Class 5A All-State Third Team
-Earned the team’s MVP award as a senior by hitting .407 with 14 RBI and 14 stolen bases
-Also was the team’s MVP and the St. Lucie County Baseball Classic MVP as a junior
-Hit .403 with 11 RBI and seven stolen bases during his junior season, while also throwing out 90 percent of would-be base stealers
-The Bulldogs were the 5A state runner-up in 2008
-Earned the Bulldog Award and was part of the .300 club as a sophomore
Personal
-Born June 19, 1990
-Son of Jeffrey and Deborah Breen
-Has one brother, Kevin
IF, FR, 5-11/160
Orlando, Fla. (Bishop Moore)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for coach Dave Wheeler at Bishop Moore High School
-2009 Florida Class 4A State Tournament runner-up
-Selected as the 2009 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Player of the Year at 4A, hitting .428 with 38 RBI and five homers as a senior
-Competed in the 2009 FACA All-Star Game in Sebring, Fla.
-Named to the Florida Class 4A All-State Second Team and the 2009 Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Second Team
-Led the team with a .461 batting average and was name the Most Improved Player as a junior
-Bishop Moore claimed the 4A state championship in 2007, posting a 31-1 record in the process
-Competed for the First Academy, which won the 2A district title during his freshman season
-Participated in the 2007 Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase
-Played for Sal Lombardo’s Orlando Scorpions summer travel team
Personal
-Born May 22, 1991
-Son of Phil and Susan Caronia
-Has one sister, Katrina
LHP, JR, 5-10/155
Baltimore, Md. (Perry Hall/CCBC Catonsville)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Spent two years at The Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville with coach Dan Blue
-Was the MVP in the Cal Ripken, Sr. League All-Star Game in the summer of 2009
-Named a 2009 NJCAA Division II First Team All-American after going 8-1 with a 1.40 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 77.0 innings
-Held a WHIP of 0.88 and opposing hitters went .206 off of him in 2009
-Selected to the All-Maryland JUCO First Team and was the CCBC Catonsville Male Athlete of the Year as a sophomore
-Was 5-1 while finishing freshman year with a 2.74 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 46.0 innings
-Attended Perry Hall Christian School and played for coach John Simon, where the squad won back-to-back league championships during his junior and senior years
-Earned the offense’s MVP award his final two seasons
-Also lettered in basketball and soccer in high school
Personal
-Born April 9, 1989
-Son of Ron and Margie Cicio
-Father played baseball, tennis and basketball at Miami Christian College
-Has two brothers, Matthew and Christopher, and one sister, Danielle
RHP, FR, 6-7/190
Tampa, Fla. (Sickles)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for coach Bob Pagano at Sickles High School
-Had a career record of 12-9, striking out 153 in 145.0 innings, walking only 56 and holding opposing hitters to a .216 average
-Did not allow a homer or a triple during his senior season
-A 6A all-state honorable mention selection as a junior after hurling two no-hitters and completing the year with a 2.92 ERA and 59 strikeouts compared to just 19 walks
-Named to the Tampa Tribune and St. Pete Times All-Hillsborough County Team following his junior campaign
-Received the school’s Golden Arm Award as a sophomore by posting a 2.47 ERA and 39 strikeouts
-Named the Tampa Tribune Swimmer of the Year by claiming district titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as the state championship in the 50 free as a junior
-Participated in the 2009 Rays High School All-Star Classic in June
-Attended the East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland during the summer of 2008
-Also attended the Diamond Club in Winter Haven in fall 2008
Personal
-Born April 25, 1991
-Son of Curtis and Jan Cooke
-Father played basketball and ran track at Bethany College in Kansas
-Has one sister, Katrina
RHP, JR, 6-2/170
Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln/Seminole CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 33rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels
-Played with current Knight Shane Brown for the Mat-Su Miners of the Alaskan Baseball League in the summer of 2009
-Member of the Seminole CC baseball team under coaches Mike Nicholson and Chris Hayes
-Named to the All-Mid Florida Conference First Team in 2009
-Led all pitchers in 2009 with eight wins, 14 starts, 91.1 innings, four complete games and 81 strikeouts
-Named the school’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2008-09
-The Florida Community College Activities Association Pitcher of the Week after a complete-game win over Florida CC April 3, striking out 11 and issuing no walks
-Pitched for Lincoln High School and coach Joe Vallese
-Posted a 1.67 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 29.2 innings as a senior, leading the Trojans to the district tile and the regional semifinals
-All-Big Bend Honorable Mention as a junior
-Also competed for the North Florida Legends travel squad, going 3-1 with two saves and a 0.81 ERA to help the team win the Great South League championship
Personal
-Born Sept. 26, 1988
-Son of John and Claudia Dew
-Has two sisters, Elizabeth and Katherine
IF, JR, 6-6/210
Bradenton, Fla. (Lakewood Ranch/Manatee CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 45th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox
-Drafted in the 41st round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins after high school
-Ranked 77th nationally in Perfect Game’s 2009 Top 250 JUCO players list
-Competed for Manatee CC and coach Tim Hill the last two seasons, serving as a teammate with fellow signee Derek Luciano
-Joined Luciano to play for the DeLand Suns of the Florida Collegiate Summer League in 2009
-Led the team with 15 homers and hit .333 in 35 games with 42 RBI
-Was selected to the 2009 Suncoast All-Conference First Team
-Led all of Florida junior college players with 22 home runs in 2008, going .340 at the dish while driving in 74 runs
-Attended Lakewood Ranch High School and played for coach David Moates
-Earned all-area honors as a senior
-Ranked No. 233 nationally by Perfect Game Crosschecker in 2007
Personal
-Born April 29, 1989
-Son of James and Diane Griffin
-Has one brother, Dustin
IF, JR, 6-1/190
Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian/Gulf Coast CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played shortstop and third base for Gulf Coast Community College the previous two years
-Went .259 at the plate with 11 extra-base hits and 21 RBI as a sophomore, and hit .300 with 16 extra-base knocks and 26 RBI in 2008
-Earned a spot on the honor roll both seasons
-Won the Class 2A state championship as a senior at North Florida Christian School, hitting .438 at the dish and collected four homers and 26 runs
-Named to the all-state first team and the All-Big Bend first team
-Selected as a Team One Preseason All-American and a Baseball Factory Preseason All-American in 2007
-Received the highest batting average and gold glove awards
-Finished with a .333 average and 15 RBI as a junior en route to being named the team’s rookie of the year
-Picked for Team USA at the World Port Baseball Tournament in the Netherlands
-Played summer ball with the North Florida Legends
-Helped the Tallahassee Baseball Club claim the 2006 AAU national title
Personal
-Born Aug. 9, 1989
-Son of Chris and Lisa Holmes
IF, FR, 6-3/185
Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for coach David Saliba at Winter Haven High School and was a teammate of fellow UCF signee Joe Rogers
-Completed senior year with a .300 average
-Earned 2008 Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention honors, as well as Second Team All-East Polk County
-Hit .430 with a homer, 17 RBI and 36 runs scored during his junior year
-Named first team all-county after going .440 at the plate as a sophomore
-Also lettered in basketball
-Member of the Chet Lemon’s Juice AAU club, and helped his travel team claim the Summer 2008 Under Armour Tournament title
Personal
-Born Dec. 11, 1990
-Son of Bill and Gayle Johnston
-Has three brothers, Billy, Luke and Brock
IF, JR, 6-3/200
Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee/Manatee CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Competed for Manatee CC and coach Tim Hill the last two seasons, serving as a teammate with fellow signee Jonathan Griffin
-Joined Griffin to play for the DeLand Suns of the Florida Collegiate Summer League in 2009
-Earned a 4.0 grade-point average both years, and was named to Florida’s all-academic team as a freshman
-Named to the Suncoast All-Conference Second Team as a sophomore by hitting .345 with 14 doubles, 47 RBI and six dingers
-Went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBI in a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates April 2, 2009
-Was .264 at the plate as a freshman, posting 15 RBI and four doubles
-Started three years at Manatee High School for coach Al Melnick
-Hit .336 with 14 runs and 17 RBI as a senior, .360 with 16 runs and 20 RBI as a junior and .310 with 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases as a sophomore
-Also lettered one year in football
-Named an IMG Baseball Academy All-Star in its Collegiate Wood Bat League in 2008
Personal
-Born Oct. 30, 1988
-Son of Michael Luciano and Kristen Bloomberg
-Father played baseball at Eckerd College
-Has two sisters, Jordan and Rachel, and one brother, Kaleb
OF/IF, FR, 5-8/175
Bradenton, Fla. (Eagle Lake, Fla./Lake Region)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 11th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins
-Played for Lake Region High School and coach Bill Bullock
-Listed in Baseball America’s Top 200 Prospects and Perfect Games’ Top 100 Prospects for 2009
-Played in the 2009 FACA All-Star Game in Sebring, Fla.
-As a senior, broke the school single-season records with 31 stolen bases and 36 runs scored, while fell one walk shy (32) of Lake Region’s walk record
-A 2009 Florida Class 5A All-State Third Team member
-Finished with a .361 average and a 1.043 OPS, striking out just three times
-Four-year varsity starter at the plate, hitting .403 and had a 1.009 OPS as a junior, while going .380 as a sophomore and .329 as a freshman with at least 22 stolen bases each year
-Named to the 2008 Florida Class 5A all-state team
-Had an ERA of 2.00 or better all four years, including a 0.70 ERA his junior campaign
-Was a 2009 Rawlings Preseason High School All-American Second Team selection
-Participated in the MLB Urban Youth Academy, including a trip with Team USA to Japan
-Teammate of current Knight D.J. Hicks with the USA Baseball Youth National Team, which went 9-0 for the gold medal at the COPABE `AA’ Youth Pan Am Championships
-During that tournament, hit .444 in six games played, scoring seven runs and swiping two bases
-Was a summer 2008 Area Code Games participant in Los Angeles
-Competed in the 2008 East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland
-A fall 2008 Florida Diamond Club selection
-Represented USA in the Goodwill Series in Australia
-Member of the 16U USA Youth National Team and the World Wood Bat Association 18U national championship Chet Lemon’s Juice squad
-Selected to the Perfect Game 2007 National Underclass Showcase Top Prospect List
Personal
-Born May 5, 1990
-Son of Vincente and Wanda Cruz
-Biological father, Ronnie Richardson Sr., played in the Boston Red Sox organization
-Has one brother, Vincente Cruz III, and three sisters, Andrika Riley, Gabrielle Cruz and Ashley Clay
RHP, FR, 6-3/195
Seminole, Fla. (Seminole)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Three-year player for Seminole High School in Seminole, Fla.
-Went 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA on the mound in limited innings due to an injury
-Selected to play in the Tampa Bay Rays Pinellas/Hillsborough High School All-Star Classic
-Competed in the Pinellas County North vs. South All Star Game
-Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seminole
-Named Florida honorable mention by Perfect Game
-Member of the Gulf Beach Hammerheads AAU squad, as well as the Tampa Bay Angels and the Orlando Scorpions travel teams
Personal
-Born Oct. 28, 1990
-Son of Keith and Allison Robinson
LHP, FR, 6-1/190
Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Competed for coach David Saliba at Winter Haven High School and was a teammate of fellow UCF signee Austin Johnston
-Selected to the 2009 Florida Class 5A All-State Third Team
-Pitched in the 2009 Polk County East-West Senior All-Star Game
-Worked a no-hitter with 20 strikeouts in a win over Lake Gibson March 3, 2009, marking a school record for strikeouts in a game
-Was the winning pitcher in a regional semifinal victory over George Jenkins in the 2008 5A state tournament
-Struck out 40 in 32 innings and was 2-0, earning honorable mention all-county as a junior
-Member of the Chet Lemon’s Juice 2008 AAU national championship team
Personal
-Born Feb. 18, 1991
-Son of Michael and Ruth Ann Rogers
-Has one sister, Brooke
LHP, JR, 5-10/160
Avon Park, Fla. (Avon Park/South Florida CC)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Spent two years at South Florida Community College with coach Rick Hitt
-Selected to the JUCO All-Star Team in the fall of 2008
-Was the winner of the "Top Gun" Award for best pitcher during his freshman campaign
-Went 3-1 with a 5.87 ERA and 51 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 38.1 innings in 2009
-Finished freshman season 7-5 in 91.2 innings, posting a 3.44 ERA, 80 strikeouts and only 23 walks
-Played for Mort Jackson at Avon Park High School
-Named the District 10 Player of the Year, an all-county team member and his school’s MVP as a senior
-Recorded 95 strikeouts, a 2.30 ERA and a 9-3 mark in 70.1 innings as a junior
-Hurled a perfect game with 16 strikeouts during that season
-Was 7-2 with a 1.92 ERA and 63 strikeouts as a sophomore
-Earned three team district titles during his high school career
-Also lettered two years in golf
Personal
-Born April 19, 1989
-Son of John and Michele Sedlock
-Father was a left-handed pitcher at South Florida CC
-Has two sisters, Lindsay and Camie, and one brother, Drew
RHP, FR, 6-6/200
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (University Christian School)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Compiled a 7-3 record at University Christian School with 80 strikeouts in 55.0 innings as a junior before sitting out his senior year due to Tommy John surgery
-Had a no-hitter until the seventh and posted a one-hit shutout victory against eventual Class 2A state champion Providence
-Named to the preseason 2009 Rawlings All-State Second Team
-Selected to Perfect Game’s 2007 Top SE Prospect Team as a sophomore
-Played summer ball in 2009 for the Florida Bombers, earning a 4-0 record with a 1.20 ERA for a team that went 42-6-1 and was the runner-up in the 2009 WWBA East Cobb showcase
Personal
-Born Oct. 20, 1990
-Son of Mark and Janine Sterritt
IF, FR, 6-1/160
Miramar, Fla. (American Senior)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Drafted in the 41st round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins
-Ranked No. 243 nationally by Perfect Game Crosschecker in 2009
-Competed for coach Christopher Keighley at American Senior High School
-Selected to the 2009 Rawlings Preseason High School All-American High Honorable Mention list
-Went .421 at the plate with 24 RBI during his senior year
-Played in the 2009 FACA All-Star Game in Sebring, Fla.
-Named a 6A all-state honorable mention outfielder in 2008 and in 2009
-Batted .447 with 21 stolen bases and a honorable mention all-state recognition as a junior, and hit .385 with 25 steals during his sophomore campaign
-Team’s offensive player of the year and rookie of the year as a freshman, batting .421 with 18 stolen bases
-Won the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Scholarship Award by the Orange Bowl Committee
-Played in the Perfect Game 2008 National Showcase and the 2007 National Underclass Showcase
-Represented USA in the Goodwill Games in Japan
-Was a Florida Diamond Club participant in the fall of 2008
Personal
-Born Feb. 1, 1991
-Son of David and Winifred Sweeney
C/IF, FR, 6-1/200
Windermere, Fla. (Olympia)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Played for coach Randy O’Neal at Olympia High School
-Named to the 2009 Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Second Team
-Was a First-Team All-Metro Conference selection as well as a senior
-Part of the best record in school history (21-5), posting a .345 average with 24 runs, 15 RBI and a .435 slugging percentage for a team that won the Orlando National Baseball Classic Tournament
-In 2008, was an All-Metro Conference First Team selection at third base by going .429 at the plate with 10 doubles and school-records of six homers and 34 RBI, all while finishing the year with a 1.087 OPS
-Hit .424 with 26 RBI as a sophomore to help the squad claim the district title
-Member of Chet Lemon’s Juice AAU national championship program, as well as the Windermere Wildcats which claimed one AAU state title
-Served as a Florida Diamond Club participant in the fall of 2008
Personal
-Born May 22, 1991
-Son of Jim and Jody Taladay
-Mother was a swimmer for SUNY-Binghamton
-Has one sister, Nicole
IF/OF, JR, 6-0/200
Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby/Pensacola Junior College)
Athletic Accomplishments
-Ranked 148th nationally in Perfect Game’s Top 250 JUCO Prospect chart in 2009
-Played two seasons for Bill Hamilton at Pensacola Junior College
-Hit .248 with 20 RBI last year in limited action due to injury, and .352 with 11 RBI as a freshman
-Attended Godby High School and played for coach Robbie Zimmerman
-Earned First Team All-Big Bend honors as a senior and Second Team All-Big Bend as a junior
-Member of the North Florida Legends 18U wood bat team
Personal
-Born Jan. 21, 1989
-Son of Rick and Debbie Vasquez
-Has one sister, Amy
