FORT MYERS, Fla.- In the midst of a big sophomore season, Florida SouthWestern State slugger Tommy Joseph has signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his playing and academic career at Jacksonville University next season.
Joseph has been unstoppable for the Bucs this season, leading the team in hits, runs, doubles, home runs, RBIs, batting average, and slugging percentage at the midway point of the year. He is hitting .385 with three home runs and 25 RBIs this season and had hit in seven straight games before last week's NJCAA mandated stoppage. He has 10 multi-hit games in his 25 appearances this season and has driven in at least one run in 15 of 25 FSW contests on the year. He has also contributed out of the bullpen on the mound for the Bucs, posting a 2-0 record and a 2.57 ERA in seven innings pitched.
Joseph will team up next year at JU with current FSW teammate Mason Adams who signed with the Dolphins earlier this year. Before the NCAA canceled the remainder of the Baseball season last week, the Dolphins were 9-9 on the year while playing one of the most competitive schedules in the country. In 2019 JU finished 32-27 and 13-11 in ASUN play which earned them a bid to the conference tournament where they reached the semifinals.
With Joseph's signing, five FSW sophomores have now signed to play at the next level next season, including four at the NCAA Division I level; Joseph and Adams (Jacksonville), Marc Davis (Pittsburgh), Connor Bagnieski (Radford), Warnner Rincones (Eckerd).
FSW is currently 16-11 on the season and 3-3 in Suncoast Conference play. The NJCAA has suspended play through April 3rd because of COVID-19, with the Bucs scheduled to return to action on Saturday, April 4th on the road at Polk State.