2014-2015 Media Guide Baseball
Welcome to all as we usher in the 2015 season of Lake-Sumter State College Lakehawks Baseball! It is my pleasure to bring greetings to our loyal and enthusiastic fans and to say thank you to our sponsors and benefactors. As you sit in the complex, enjoying the game here in the beautiful setting overlooking Silver Lake, you should be thankful that the rites of Spring come early to us here in Florida while our friends up North battle cold and snow! We are now known as Lake-Sumter State College, having changed our name when we initiated bachelor s degrees in 2013. However, we remain deeply committed to community : building community here on campus and contributing to the larger community we serve. Our student athletes are very engaged in giving back, working, for example, in reading programs in the schools and providing service to organizations like Habitat for Humanity. LSSC values providing a high quality, personalized educational experience for all of our students and a unique family atmosphere for our student athletes. Our coaches and athletic director strive to impart not just athletic skills but life skills as well. Our faculty and staff create a caring and supportive environment in which learning can thrive. Our Foundation works hard to raise funds to support many students with scholarships. We are truly blessed to have such talented and dedicated people working with our students. For these reasons, LSSC is recognized as one of the leading colleges in the country, ranking in the Top Ten Percent according to the prestigious Aspen Award for Community College Excellence! We make sure our students are well prepared to succeed in the next stage of their lives - whether it is further education or moving into their chosen career, as evidenced by their high job placement rates and average GPA of 3.15 after transfer to the university system. We take pride in the fact that our athletes excel in the classroom as well as on the field, traditionally garnering All-State and even All American academic honors. Thanks again for your support and enjoy the game. Go Lakehawks! Mike Matulia has guided the LSSC Athletic Program for the past 17 years, while continuing to foster improvement in all phases of Lakehawks Athletics. During his tenure, Matulia has lead the athletic teams, coached, designed and supervised the construction of facilities and has continued to work on improving opportunities for the student-athletes and coaches. Matulia has served as the FCSAA Chair for the Council for Athletic Affairs, the FCSAA State baseball chair, the Suncoast Conference Baseball Commissioner and currently serves on the Lake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes Board, the North Lake Miracle League Board, is the Vice Chair of the Lake County Children s Services Council, and serves as the NJCAA Region 8 Assistant Men s Commissioner. Matulia coached the Lakehawks baseball team from 1999-2007, while having coached for over 25 years at the college level. This past year the LSSC athletic programs achieved NJCAA Academic Team honors, posting GPA s over the 3.0 average. Five individual student-athletes received NJCAA Academic Awards for academic excellence, while former baseball player Chris Blanton received honors for: FCSAA Bill-Tuten Baseball Scholar-Athlete Award, Mid-Florida Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year, FCSAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year, and the NJCAA Lea Plarski Award (only one recipient nationally) for his excellence and service on and off the playing field. Other Highlights included: twenty-four All-FCSAA academic honors, 35 Mid-Florida All-Conference Academic honors and seven President s list recipients. In addition to the academic awards, eight student-athletes received All-Conference honors in their respective sports; while softball player, Kayla Fuller received FCSAA All-State honors and three other softball players received FCSAA District All-Tournament Team honors. The 2013-2014 baseball team posted a 3.04 overall GPA, featuring NJCAA Academic Achievement and All-FCSAA Academic Team members, Chris Blanton and Sam Thomas, while returning player and 2015 NJCAA Academic Awards candidate, Austin Simmons received All-FCSAA Academic honors, achieving a 4.0 GPA. In addition, three Lakehawks players received All-Conference honors on the playing field, including Dakota Higdon, Michael Hennessey and Chris Blanton. The 2015 season, under third year Head Coach Josh Holt begins with high expectations and a new group of talented players. Coach Holt has been a great asset to the LSSC Athletic program and will prepare his Lakehawks players to compete in the tough, Mid- Florida Conference. Josh has been able to entice some of the best talent in Florida, being a tireless recruiter. We look forward to the 2015 season, in eager anticipation of a post-season berth. Beginning his ninth year at LSSC, Holt is no stranger to the challenges for competing for the Mid-Florida Conference and the FCSAA titles; serving as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Lakehawks program on their way to the FCSAA State Tournament in 2011. The 2015 baseball season will provide excitement for the LSSC fans and a challenge for the Lakehawks to achieve great things on and off the field. We look forward to seeing you at the ballpark! Matulia resides in Eustis with wife Betsy and third son, Jake (16). Matulia has two other sons: Matt and John; and granddaughters Emma (4) and Olivia (18 months).
Josh Holt enters his third season as the Head Coach at Lake-Sumter State College and ninth overall at the school. Holt came to Lake-Sumter State College from Florida Tech University where he served as an assistant baseball coach in the spring of 2006. He graduated from Leesburg High School and then furthered his baseball career at Flagler College. While at Flagler College, he was a four-year starter at first base. In 2010, Holt was named to the Flagler College Baseball s All-Decade Team (2000-2009) for his athletic achievements during his career. He graduated from Flagler College in December 2005 with a Secondary Education-Social Science degree. Holt went on to earn his Master s degree from the University of Phoenix. The 2014 LSSC Baseball team excelled in the classroom by achieving a 3.04 GPA for the 2013-2014 school year and being named to the NJCAA All-Academic Team. Chris Blanton and Sam Thomas were named Academic All-Americans. Blanton also received the Mid-Florida Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, FCSAA Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, and the Bill Tuten Award Baseball Scholar Athlete given by the FCSAA Baseball Committee. In addition, Blanton also received the Lea Plarski Award which is the highest honor given to a NJCAA Student-Athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence, athletic ability, and achievements. In his time as a collegiate coach, Holt has coached twenty-six All-conference performers and two All-Americans. In the last eight years, Holt has helped move thirty-five former LSSC baseball pitchers on to the four year level, including eleven at the NCAA Division One Level. Since 2007, he has helped move over sixty former LSSC players on to the four year level. Holt resides in Fruitland Park with his wife Lindsay and daughter Ella. LSSC DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman - Mr. Timothy Morris, Vice Chairman -Mr. Richard Bowersox Mr. Scott Blankenship - Ms. Marcia Butler - Ms. Kelly Flores - Mr. Bret Jones - Ms. Emily Lee - Mr. Kelly Rice - Mr. Peter Wahl Dr. Charles R. Mojock, LSSC President Anita Geraci-Carver, Esq., Board Attorney
#2 Miguel DeGuzman Fr. LHP Killian HS Miami, FL #3 Josh Jimenez Fr. LHP Dr. Phillips HS Orlando, FL #4 Ryan Kelley Fr. INF Bloomingdale HS Valrico, FL #5 Austin Mauer Fr. C/1B The Master s Academy Orlando, FL #6 Danny Cumba Fr. OF Killian HS Miami, FL #12 Blake Crowell RsFr. RHP Lake Minneola HS Clermont, FL #13 Ryan Girard Fr. RHP Wiregrass Ranch HS Land O Lakes, FL #14 Connor Hermida Fr. RHP Viera HS Melbourne, FL #15 Tanner Long So. OF Leesburg HS Lady Lake, FL #16 Mitch Barati So. C Boone HS/Daytona State Orlando, FL #22 Mason McClellan Fr. INF Union Grove HS McDonough, GA #24 Austin Simmons So. OF Eustis HS Eustis, FL #27 Matt Weidenbach Fr. RHP Creekside HS Jacksonville, FL #29 Bryce Myers RsFr. INF/OF GB Christian/Coastal Carolina Virginia Beach, VA
#7 Jay Jenkins So. INF SCD HS /Flagler Estero, FL #8 Taylor Westbrook Fr. INF Creekside HS Jacksonville, FL #9 Trevor Mckenna Fr. LHP Brooksville Central HS Brooksville, FL #10 Jose Brito So. C Ferguson HS/Chipola Miami, FL 11 Patrick McClellan Fr. INF Olympia HS Windermere, FL #17 Isacc DaSilva Fr. RHP Southridge HS Cutter Bay, FL #18 Brooks Estrada Fr. OF West Orange HS Windermere, FL #19 Ben Hoffmann Fr. LHP Somerset Academy Plantation, FL #20 Anthony Mazzurco So. LHP Ocala Forest HS Ocala, FL #21 Tanner Elsbernd So. OF Chiles HS Tallahassee, FL Roy & Ruth Ryan Foundation, Inc. Marian S. Shuck Scholarship Trust Shaw Charitable Trust
# Name Class Pos. Ht. WT Hometown / HS/ Previous College 2 Miguel DeGuzman Fr LHP 5 9 170 Miami, FL / Killian HS 3 Josh Jimenez Fr LHP 5 7 145 Orlando, FL / Dr. Phillips HS 4 Ryan Kelley Fr INF 5 7 155 Valrico, FL / Bloomingdale HS 5 Austin Mauer Fr C/1B 5 10 195 Orlando, FL / The Master s Academy 6 Danny Cumba Fr OF 6 0 185 Miami, FL / Killian HS 7 Jay Jenkins So INF 6 0 175 Estero, FL/Seacreast Country Day/Flagler 8 Taylor Westbrook Fr INF 5 11 170 Jacksonville, FL / Creekside HS 9 Trevor Mckenna Fr LHP 5 11 185 Brooksville, FL / Brooksville Central HS 10 Jose Brito So C 6 0 200 Miami, FL/Ferguson HS/Chipola College 11 Patrick McClellan Fr INF 5 10 170 Windermere, FL / Olympia HS 12 Blake Crowell RsFr RHP 5 11 160 Clermont, FL / Lake Minneola HS 13 Ryan Girard Fr RHP 6 5 200 Land O Lakes, FL / Wiregrass Ranch HS 14 Connor Hermida Fr RHP 6 0 200 Melbourne, FL / Viera HS 15 Tanner Long So OF 6 3 210 Lady Lake, FL / Leesburg HS 16 Mitch Barati So C 5 11 175 Orlando, FL /Boone HS/Daytona State 17 Isaac DaSilva Fr RHP 6 2 170 Cutter Bay, FL / Miami Southridge HS 18 Brooks Estrada Fr OF 6 0 170 Windermere, FL / West Orange HS 19 Ben Hoffmann Fr LHP 6 0 190 Plantation, FL / Somerset Academy HS 20 Anthony Mazzurco So LHP 5 9 185 Ocala, FL / Ocala Forest HS 21 Tanner Elsbernd So OF 6 1 205 Tallahassee, FL / Chiles HS 22 Mason McClellan Fr INF 6 4 205 McDonough, GA / Union Grove HS 24 Austin Simmons So OF 6 0 170 Eustis, FL / Eustis HS 27 Matt Weidenbach Fr RHP 6 2 180 Jacksonville, FL / Creekside HS 29 Bryce Myers RsFr INF/OF 6 3 190 Virginia Beach, VA/Greenbrier Christian/ Coastal Carolina University
Justin Bass Marlins (2008-2010 ) 2014 FCSAA All-Academic Team Tanner Barnhard Chris Blanton Michael Hennessey Austin Simmons Taylor Saris Sam Thomas Nick Delguidice Royals (2011 2012) Nick Pugliese Angels (2008 2011) 2014 Mid-Florida Conference All-Academic Team Daniel Autiello Tanner Barnhard Chris Blanton Michael Hennessey Michael Howe Anthony Mazzurco Taylor Saris Austin Simmons Sam Thomas David Webb Kuehl McEachern Red Sox (2014-present) 2014 Mid-Florida Conference All-Conference Dakota Higdon 2nd Team Michael Hennessey 2nd Team Chris Blanton 2nd Team Other Former Lakehawks that played professional baseball: Bubba St. Amant - Phillies 2000-2002 Tyler Barnett - Braves 2008-2010 Kevin Colon - Devil Rays 2005-2007 Nick D Amico - Padres 2010 Jason Durst - Diamondbacks 2006-2008 Scott Hicks - Marlins 2000-2002 J.D. Huether - Twins 2001-2002 Justin Justice - Tigers 2004-2008 Brendan Katin - Brewers 2005-2011 Josh Lane - Padres 2002-2003 Kobi Perez - Cardinals 2001 Travis Rios - Red Sox 2005-2007(deceased) Ralph Santana - Brewers/ Phillies 2000-2005 Patrick Ryan - Brewers 2005-2008/Mariners 2009 Lake-Sumter State College 9501 US Highway 441 Leesburg, FL 34788 Tel: 352-323-3645 Fax: 352-323-3646 Website: www.lssc.edu Media Guide Printed by Ford Press, Leesburg, FL
Date Opponent Time Location Fri. Jan. 30 Polk State College 2:00 PM LSSC Sat. Jan. 31 Hillsborough CC 1:00 PM Tampa Sun. Feb. 1 Webber University JV 1:00 PM Babson Park Mon. Feb.2 Rollins College JV 2:30 PM LSSC Wed. Feb. 4 Rollins College JV 6:00 PM Winter Park Fri. Feb. 6 Indian River State College 2:00 PM Ft. Pierce Sat. Feb. 7 Indian River State College 1:00 PM LSSC Sun. Feb. 8 South Florida State College 1:00 PM LSSC Mon. Feb. 9 University of Tampa JV 6:00 PM Tampa Wed. Feb. 11 Polk State College 5:00 PM Winter Haven Fri. Feb. 13 Eastern Florida State College 6:00 PM Melbourne Sun. Feb. 15 Broward College 12:00 PM LSSC Mon. Feb. 16 Hillsborough CC 6:00 PM Leesburg (Pat Thomas) Tues. Feb. 17 CCBC Dundalk 2:30 PM LSSC Sat. Feb. 21 South Florida State College 12:00 PM (DH) Avon Park Sun. Feb. 22 Miami-Dade College 12:00 PM (DH) Miami Wed. Feb. 25 St. Pete College 3:00 PM Clearwater Fri. Feb. 27 Eastern Florida State College 3:00 PM LSSC Sat. Feb. 28 St. Pete College 1:00 PM LSSC Sun. Mar. 1 University of Tampa JV 12:00 PM LSSC Wed. Mar. 4 Daytona State College 3:00 PM Daytona Fri. Mar. 6 Daytona State College 3:00 PM LSSC Sat. Mar. 7 Daytona State College 1:00 PM Daytona Mon. Mar. 9 Santa Fe College 3:00 PM LSSC Wed. Mar. 11 Santa Fe College 3:00 PM Gainesville Fri. Mar. 13 Santa Fe College 3:00 PM LSSC Sat. Mar. 14 St. Johns River State College 1:00 PM Palatka Mon. Mar. 16 St. Johns River State College 3:00 PM LSSC Wed. Mar. 18 St. Johns River State College 6:00 PM Palatka Sat. Mar. 21 Florida State College-Jacksonville 1:00 PM Jacksonville Mon. Mar. 23 Florida State College-Jacksonville 3:00 PM LSSC Wed. Mar. 25 Florida State College-Jacksonville 3:00 PM Jacksonville Fri. Mar. 27 Seminole State College 2:00 PM Sanford Sat. Mar. 28 Seminole State College 1:00 PM LSSC Mon. Mar. 30 Seminole State College 3:00 PM Sanford Wed. Apr. 1 College of Central Florida 3:00 PM LSSC Fri. Apr. 3 College of Central Florida 3:00 PM Ocala Sat. Apr. 4 College of Central Florida 1:00 PM LSSC Wed. Apr. 8 Pasco-Hernando State College 3:00 PM New Port Richey Sat. Apr. 11 Pasco-Hernando State College 1:00 PM LSSC Mon. Apr. 13 Daytona State College 3:00 PM LSSC Wed. Apr. 15 Santa Fe College 3:00 PM Gainesville Fri. Apr. 17 St. Johns River State College 3:00 PM LSSC Sat. Apr. 18 Florida State College-Jacksonville 1:00 PM LSSC Mon. Apr. 20 Seminole State College 3:00 PM LSSC Wed. Apr. 22 College of Central Florida 3:00 PM Ocala Home Games in BOLD