UT Places Five on All-SSC Baseball Team

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Tampa had five of the 32 student-athletes that represented all nine member institutions as the 2009 All-Sunshine State Conference Baseball Team was announced Thursday by SSC Commissioner Michael J. Marcil.

Among the five all-SSC selections for the Spartans was a pair of players on the first team, including relief pitcher Alex Koronis and utility player Jared Simon. Second baseman Correy Figueroa, shortstop Casey Albanese and designated hitter Mike Schwartz were each second-team selections.

Koronis, a junior from Miami, leads UT with an 8-1 record to go with a team-best 3.26 ERA. In 60.2 innings, the transfer from the University of Miami has also registered 74 strikeouts and five saves, both team highs. The reliable pitcher has appeared in 22 games, starting four. He is also responsible for UT's lone complete game of the year.

Simon, a sophomore from Tampa, has played a number of positions that includes third base, first base and outfield. He ranks second on the squad with a .385 average while starting all 45 games played. The team leader with 18 doubles has also smacked eight home runs with 51 RBIs.

This marks the 14th straight year that UT has placed multiple players on the all-SSC team as each of the five players were recognized for the first time in their respective careers.

2009 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
1B - Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg (Nova Southeastern, Jr.)
2B - Wade Kirkland (Florida Southern, So.)
3B - Yan Gomes (Barry, Jr.)
SS - Nick Shaw (Barry, Jr.)
OF - Bryan Bennett (Rollins, Sr.)
OF - Will Cherry (Florida Southern, Sr.)
OF - Yas Gutierrez (Barry, Jr.)
C - Kevin Villa (Florida Tech, Sr.)
SP - Max Russell (Florida Southern, So.)
SP - Charley Short (Barry, Jr.)
SP - Dan Wright (Lynn, Jr.)
RP - Alex Koronis (Tampa, Jr.)
DH - Douglas Toro (Lynn, Sr.)
UT - Jared Simon (Tampa, So.)

Player of the Year - Yan Gomes, Barry
Pitcher of the Year - Dan Wright, Lynn
Coach of the Year - Marc Pavao, Barry
Freshman of the Year - Dustin Brown, Saint Leo

SECOND TEAM
1B - Yudelmis Hernandez (Barry, Sr.)
2B - Correy Figueroa (Tampa, Jr.)
3B - Mike Sinicola (Eckerd, Sr.)
SS - Casey Albanese (Tampa, Sr.)
SS - Robbie Shields (Florida Southern, Jr.)
OF - Trae Gore (Florida Southern, Jr.)
OF - Kyle Hobbs (Saint Leo, Sr.)
OF - J.D. Martinez (Nova Southeastern, Jr.)
C - Zach Maggard (Florida Southern, So.)
SP - Michael Fiers (Nova Southeastern, Sr.)
SP - Brad McAllister (Barry, Freshman)
SP - Miles Mikolas (Nova Southeastern, Jr.)
RP - Daniel Tillman (Florida Southern, So.)
DH - Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Jr.)
UT - Danny Lima (Barry, Sr.)

HONORABLE MENTION
OF - Dustin Brown (Saint Leo, Fr.)
SP - Tim Griffin (Rollins, Jr.)
RP - Scott Sexton (Barry, Jr.)