SCF Baseball Takes Home Five Awards

Bradenton, Fla - As the #22 SCF baseball team prepares for the final four in the NJCAA Region 8 Baseball Tournament, five of the players were able to take home conference recognitions for their hard work on the field, which was highlighted by freshman Lochlan Radloff winning the Citrus Conference Pitcher of the Year accolade. Radloff also joins freshman Myles Davis and sophomore Luke Boykin on the All-Citrus Conference First Team, while freshman Aidan Ray and sophomore Hayden Gustavson were named to All-Citrus Conference Second Team.

"Very proud of Lochlan, Luke, Myles, Aidan and Hayden for their hard work on the field," said head coach Tim Hill II. "They really deserved this recognition for the work they have done for this season."

Radloff became the fourth Manatee under Hill II to win conference pitcher of the year (Robby Kalaf [2013], Zach Attianese [2018], Michael Forret [2023]). The local product from Lakewood Ranch High School is currently 7-4 with a 3.53 ERA, 32 walks and 93 strikeouts in 81.21 innings of work while throwing six complete games (five of them being shutouts), which is #1 in the state and tied for #1 in the nation. Additionally, Radloff was named as one of the top 10 players in the Citrus Conference. In his start at regionals, he earned a no-decision after throwing six and a third innings with two strikeouts.

"Lochlan is incredible and deserved to win conference pitcher of the year," said Hill II on Radloff. "He's super competitive and had some really good games for us, which even included three straight shutouts. I still think there's a lot of room for hims to keep getting better."

Davis, who has been the team's starting designated hitter after returning to the lineup on March 18, is currently batting .374 with 55 hits, 35 runs, five home runs and 34 RBI. Additionally, the native of Marion, Iowa is currently on a 17-game hitting streak, dating back to April 3.

"Myles has been slowed down by a few injuries, but he has been one of our best hitters," said Hill II on Davis. He has a great approach and good balance in the box where he has been getting some really big hits for us.

Boykin is currently batting .342 with 53 hits, 44 runs, 18 home runs and 48 RBI. His 18 home runs ranks #2 in the state and #10 in the nation.

"Luke winning first team all-conference was well deserved," said Hill II on Boykin. "He improved a lot from last year and proved that in his hitting this year. He's been a really huge par of this team's path to success."

After transitioning from a relief pitcher to starting pitcher, Ray, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, finished the regular season 5-2 with a 4.72 ERA, 36 walks and 69 strikeouts in 68.2 innings.

"Aidan's progression has been really good," said Hill II on Ray. "He's got good stuff and he's continuing to learn how to us the stuff we taught him while being competitive and keeping his emotions under control, so it was nice to see him do well.

Guastavson, who earned second team recognition as a catcher, is currently batting .340 with 49 hits, 36 runs, two home runs and 31 RBI. He went 4-for-8 in the regionals with two RBI. In fact, Gustavson hit the clutch RBI single that gave the Manatees the win over Northwest Florida State for game one of the regionals.

"If you would have told me starting this season he'd be our number one catcher and do something, I'd say probably not," said Hill II. "I think Hayden has worked really had behind the plate to become a pretty good defensive catcher. He's not just a defensive guy, he gives us a lot of offense, knows how to play the game, plays hard and is very versatile while playing other positions when he is not a catcher, but you'll really see the improvement from him behind the plate and has been a key to our success."

The Manatees look to add more to their regime as they face #6 Florida Southwestern to open the final four of the tournament.

SCF VB Set for Weekend Challenge

Bradenton, Fla. - After securing their first win of the season, the SCF court volleyball team (1-2, 1-2 Sun Lakes) will look to keep their momentum going for their first road trip of the season. The Manatees will travel six hours to the panhandle as they face #9 Gulf Coast State (10-2, 3-0 Sun Lakes) at the Billy Harrison Fieldhouse in Panama City Friday night, September 13 at 7 pm (6 pm central) before traveling to Pensacola to take on #10 Pensacola State (8-3, 2-1 Sun Lakes) at the Hartsell Arena Saturday afternoon, September 14 at 2 pm (1 pm central).

Sun Lakes Conference Standings:

1. Palm Beach State (9-1, 4-0)

2. #9 Gulf Coast State (10-2, 4-0)

3. #10 Pensacola State (8-3, 2-1)

4. Pasco-Hernando State (3-7, 2-1)

5. Indian River State (6-4, 2-2)

6.St. Pete (4-4, 2-2)

7. #25 St. John's River State (9-7, 1-2)

8. SCF (1-2, 1-2)

9. South Florida State (1-3, 1-3)

10. Lake Sumter State (4-3, 0-3)

11. Florida State College at Jacksonville (3-8, 0-2)

Last Time Out:

After falling in their first two matches to Indian River State (3-0) and Palm Beach State (3-0), the Manatees are coming off securing their first win of the season and in conference play at home after defeating South Florida State 3-2 in a come from behind victory.

They are currently tied for seventh in conference with Indian River State, but are eighth in the standings overall.

Super Saiyan Built Juggernauts:

The trio of sophomore Jaycie Sheean and freshmen Aryanna Spainhower and Sabrina Calhoun have been leading the offense for the Manatees on attacking.

Since making her debut with the Manatees this year from Purdue University - Northwest, Sheean has became a key part of the their offense. The native of Rockford, Illinois currently has 21 kills, eight digs, seven blocks and one ace. In the match against South Florida State, Sheean had a career-high 10 kills.

Spainhower had one of her best offensive and defensive games in her match with South Florida State as she secured her first collegiate double-double of 16 kills and 25 digs. The local product from Braden River currently has 30 kills, 49 digs, three aces and five blocks. Additionally, Spainhower's 25 digs put her in the FCSAA 25 Dig Club.

Calhoun currently has 18 kills, three aces and 10 digs in her name so far. Against South Florida State, she had 14 kills and three digs in the match.

Libero  Domination:

The freshmen duo of defensive specialists Johaliz Colon and Sarah Stouky have played strongly in the back row. Colon currently has 33 digs and three assists this season, while Stouky currently has 29 digs, five assists. In the match against South Florida State, Colon had 14 digs in her name, while Stouky had 15 digs and three assists.

Mighty Assist:

Sophomore Morgan McGuire plays a strong role at the setter position. McGuire currently has 43 assists, 16 digs and four blocks. She secured her eight career double-double against South Florida State as she had 34 assists and 11 digs.

Freshman Adasyn Konopka also plays a key part in assists as she has 30 assists and 26 digs. Konopka had four assists and seven digs against South Florida State.

Wildcard Status:

Sophomore Katrina Tallo and freshman Natalie Schwenk play as the wildcards of the team.

Tallo currently has five kills, 18 digs and eight blocks. She had a career-high 11 digs in the win over South Florida State.

Schwenk, the lone walk-on on the team, currently has 21 digs and two aces so far. The Pennsylvanian had nine digs and two aces against South Florida State.

Scouting Gulf Coast State:

The Lady Commodores are coming off of 3-0 win over St. Pete College. They are currently second in conference and are ranked #9 in the NJCAA Top 25 National Polls.

Freshman Danna Aguilera leads the offense as she has 146 kills, 11 aces and 119 digs while sophomore Morgan Langley leads the defense with 233 digs and nine aces.

Scouting Pensacola State:

The Lady Pirates are coming off of a 3-0 win over Florida State College at Jacksonville. They are currently ranked #10 in the NJCAA Top 25 National Poll.

Freshman Catie Woolf leads the offense with 110 kills, 12 aces, 79 digs and 12 blocks, while sophomore Maddie Mire leads the defense with 163 digs and 12 aces.

How to Keep Up:

Both games will air livestream and fans can keep up the Manatees on all social media platforms.

Livestream Links:

@ Gulf Coast State - https://www.commodoreproductions.com/live/

@ Pensacola State - https://piratenetwork.live/broadcastevents/

Social Media - 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SCFvolleyball

X - https://X.com/SCFVolleyball?s=09

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/volleyball_scf/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

SCF Baseball Players Sign in the MLB

Bradenton, Fla - Two players from the SCF baseball team have officially made their decisions to continue their baseball careers at the professional level for Major League Baseball (MLB). Those two players that will make their dreams come true are pitchers Michael Forret (2023) and Tony Rossi (2020-21).

Forret was selected in the 14th round (pick 421) of the draft by the Baltimore Orioles and signed with them for $450,000. The Orioles are currently in first place in the American League East Division with a two and a half game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Originally committed to East Carolina, the native of Indian Trail, North Carolina finished his lone season with the Manatees 10-3 with a 3.34 ERA, one save, 18 walks and 106 strikeouts. He was named the Suncoast Conference Pitcher of the Year and a member of the All-Suncoast First Team after going 4-0 in conference play before winning the FCSAA Pitcher of the Year and being named a member of the All-NJCAA Region 8 First Team. Forret's 10 wins and 106 strikeouts were ranked tied for #16 in the nation, while his number of innings pitched (86.1) ranked #10 in the nation.

Despite not playing in the 2023 season, Rossi, who was not drafted in this year's MLB Draft, signed a free agent deal with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are currently tied for second place in National League West with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A native of Lake Mary, Florida, Rossi began his collegiate baseball career at the University of West Florida (NCAA DII) in 2019. There, he went 5-3 with a 5.26 ERA, 32 walks and 40 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched for the Argonauts where he was named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year. 

He then transferred to SCF where played two seasons and finished 5-3 overall with a 5.37 ERA, 40 walks and 91 strikeouts in 68.2 innings before transferring to the University of North Carolina - Charlotte with fellow SCF alum Nick Cosentino (2021-22) where he went 5-1 with a 4.57 ERA, one save, 20 walks and 48 strikeouts during the 2022 season with the 49ers.

We wish both Michael and Tony the best on their journeys in the MLB.

Hodge Shines at NCAA First Round

Sacramento, Calif - Former SCF basketball standout D'Moi Hodge (2018-20) lead the way for the University of Missouri (25-9) in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and advanced to the second round. Hodge lead the Tigers, the #7 seed in the tournament, with 23 points (8-for-14 FG, 5-for-10 3PT, 2-for-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists and four steals in the 76-65 win over #10 seed Utah State. They will face #15 seed Princeton (21-8) (Ivy League Tournament winner) in the second round after they defeated #2 seed Arizona (28-6) 59-55 in their first round game.

"It's obviously amazing watching one of our former players play in the NCAA tournament and have them play for the last three years," said head coach Tom Parks. "They paved the way to see how capable they are when they come from junior college and have success. I thought D'Moi played a really good game and made the right plays that were big and down the stretch. Obviously, I'm very proud of D'Moi of the system he's playing in and working well with his teammates while his defense has been spot-on. I loved watching him play and I loved coaching him during his two years with the Manatees. Playing in an NCAA Tournament has always been a dream of mine and to see him accomplish a dream like that is just remarkable for him. I'm very excited for him as he prepares for Princeton in the second round."

Hodge is the second Manatee under the Parks era to play in the NCAA tournament. His former teammate, Isiah Dasher (2018-20) helped lead the Saint Peters Peacocks to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA National Tournament.

Hodge began his collegiate basketball career at New Mexico Junior College in 2017-18, however the guard and native of Tortola, British Virgin Islands decided to redshirt and ended up transferring to SCF in 2018.

In his first year with the Manatees (Parks' first year as head coach), Hodge averaged 19.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.1 blocks per game, which included a 50 point game against Miami Dade. After helping the Manatees win the Suncoast Conference Tournament against Polk State and qualify for the FCSAA State Tournament for the first time since 2013. He would also end up on the All-Suncoast Conference First Team, the FCSAA All-State Team and the FCSAA All-Tournament Team as well as earning FCSAA Player of the Week three times and NJCAA Player of the Week once.

In his second year with the Manatees, Hodge's stats and accolades would increase as he averaged 25.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. During the season, Hodge would earn his 1,000th point against Florida State College at Jacksonville (December 15, 2019) before setting program records for points in a single season (805) and most career points (1,403) that were held by James Life (2004-06). Once again, he would lead the Manatees to the Suncoast Conference Tournament and defeated Polk State for the second straight year while ending up on the All-Suncoast Conference First Team and the FCSAA All-State Team before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

After his tenure with SCF, Hodge would end up continuing his collegiate career at Cleveland State under head coach Dennis Gates. There, he helped the Vikings to a 19-8 overall record with a 16-4 record in the Horizon League where they would win the Horizon League Regular Season Championship and the Horizon League Championship Tournament to secure an automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA Men's Tournament, their first bid in 12 years before they fell in the first round to final four participant University of Houston. He would average 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

In his senior season, Hodge would return to the Vikings where he averaged 15.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. He would help the Vikings win a second straight Horizon League Regular Season Championship before making a trip to the 2022 NIT where they would fall in the first round to eventual tournament winner Xavier University. He was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and was named on the All-Horizon League First Team.

Hodge, with one year of eligibility remaining, transferred to Missouri after Gates landed the job as the Tigers head coach. Three of his teammates, guard Tre Gomillion, guard Ben Sternberg and center Mabor Majak also ended up transferring with Hodge to join Gates.

Hodge is currently averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game for the Tigers and is one of 25 finalists for the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year award (NCAA National Defensive Player of the Year). His 2.6 steals per game rank #4 in the nation.