Four Future Saints Play in FACA All-Star Game

May 27, 2011

May 27, 2011 Contact: Scott Jamison 352-395-5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SF BASEBALL

FOUR FUTURE SAINTS PLAY IN FACA ALL-STAR GAME

Gainesville, FL – Four members of the 2011-12 Santa Fe Saints baseball recruiting class have been selected to take part in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Baseball All-Star game on Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28 in Sebring, FL at Fireman’s Field. The four players include: catcher AJ Mazzurco (Ocala), OF/P Derreck Rodriguez (Miami), RHP JT Simpson (Hernando), and OF Mallex Smith (Tallahassee).

Mazzurco recently finished his senior season at Ocala Forest High School where he hit .411 with 40 runs scored, 15 RBI, four doubles, four HR and 15 stolen bases. Forest finished as district runners-up and has a 22-6 record under Coach Wayne Yancey.

Rodriguez, son of current major leaguer and 14 time All-Star Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, played his high school ball at Monsignor Pace and hit .393 his senior season with two HR. As a pitcher, he throws in the low 90’s and was 1-1 with seven saves. Pace is coached by Tom Diffin and won the district championship in 2011.

Simpson helped pitch Hernando High School to a district championship and a state semi-final appearance in 2011. He finished the season with a 7-2 record with a 1.21 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 63 innings. He allowed just 11 walks and batters hit .188 against him. Hernando completed the season with a 26-6 record under the direction of Coach Tim Sims.

Smith, one of the fastest players in the state of Florida, was named the district Player of the Year following his stellar senior season for Rickards High School in which he hit .541 with four HR, 11 triples, five doubles and 32 stolen bases. RHS finished the season 9-17 under Coach Brian Kelly.

For complete schedules and more information on Saints Baseball, please visit santafesaints.com. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.

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