LAKELAND, FLA.- Thursday night at the FCSAA State Tournament Banquet, Florida SouthWestern State sophomore Ryan Gusto made program history as he was named FSW's first FCSAA Pitcher of the Year award winner. 

Heading into this weekend's FCSAA State Tournament, Gusto is 7-1 with a save in 17 appearances on the year.  He posted a 3.00 ERA in 72 innings pitched, striking out 102 and walking just 19.  Gusto had two highlight reel starts this season, striking out double digit batters in both. Against Polk State in late March, he went seven shutout innings, striking out a school record 16 to earn FCSAA Pitcher of the Week honors. One month later he fired a complete game shutout against St. Petersburg, punching out 10 without walking a batter to each another nod as the state's best pitcher. 

Gusto is not only the first FSW hurler to earn State Pitcher of the Year honors, he is the first Buccaneer to be named First Team All-State as well. JD Dutka was the only other Buc to be named All-State, he earned Second Team honors in 2017.

Gusto and the Bucs will be back in action on Friday as they take on Santa Fe in the first round of the FCSAA State Tournament. First pitch is set for 4 PM at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.