4 players honored after 1st season

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Not long after the basketball team made an historic first visit to the national tournament, the Florida Christian College baseball team duplicated the feat.

The Suns, under Coach Jon Copeland, recently reached the National Christian College Athletic Association Division II World Series, where they were runner-up to Toccoa Falls College from Georgia.

The Suns, playing their first season, lost the championship game to Toccoa Falls, the defending national champion.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing to be so close to a national championship and not get it, but for a first-year program, our season was truly remarkable,” Copeland said.“We had a bunch of talented freshmen and first-year players who didn’t know any better. Someone forgot to tell them that you’re not supposed to be this successful the first year out.”

The Suns defeated Manhattan Christian College, 11-6, in the first round of the eight-team series, played at Mason, Ohio.

Andrew Cancio of Orlando pitched the Suns over local favorite Ohio Christian College, 3-0, to advance to the winner’s bracket. There, the Suns upended Toccoa Falls, 6-5, behind pitcher Brent Hodge and reliever Eric Santamaria.

Toccoa Falls came back from the loser’s bracket to beat the Suns, 5-0, setting up the championship meeting between the teams.

The Suns (27-26) earned the Team Sportsmanship Award at the World Series and had four NCCAA All-Americans: Santamaria, Hodge, infielder Mark Vidal and outfielder Erick Figueroa.

Figueroa, who batted .373 with 38 RBIs, second in the nation, was named as the Hank Burbridge Unlimited Potential Outstanding Leadership award winner.

The Suns were ranked No. 2 nationally entering the national tournament. They played several home games at the Osceola County Stadium complex.

Copeland believes that the Suns can sustain their baseball success.

“The administration is very supportive, I have a great coaching staff who implement an excellent recruiting strategy, and Florida produces some of the best baseball players in the country,” he said.