FORT MYERS, Fla.- After proving himself as one of the top pitchers in the state of Florida in 2023, Florida SouthWestern closer Lucas Hartman will remain in Fort Myers for a couple more years, as the Bucs fireman is headed across I-75 to pitch for the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University after signing with the Green and Blue on Wednesday. 

 

Hartman was the 2023 Southern Conference Fireman of the Year as a sophomore this season, posting an FSW record and FCSAA low 1.19 ERA over 53 innings pitched.  Working mostly out of the Bucs bullpen, Hartman notched a 5-1 record with 7 saves which ranked third in the state.  He struck out 54 and allowed just 31 hits for a sparkling 1.13 WHIP over his 21 appearances.  Hartman put together an unbelievable run of 36 2/3 innings over 15 appearances without allowing an earned run midway through the season, pushing his ERA to a microscopic 0.63 by the end of the run. Through the Bucs first 16 Southern Conference games, FSW had not lost a conference game that Hartman had thrown in, and had not won one that he did not pitch in.  

 

Hartman will join an FGCU squad coming off of their best season in recent memory as the Eagles went 42-18 in 2023, spending a good chunk of the season ranked in the Top 25 of several major polls.

 

Hartman is the seventh FSW sophomore to sign at the Division I level this season and the ninth overall to sign to move onto the four year level, joining AJ Shaver (Troy), Derek Williams (Wichita State), Tyler Kennedy (Texas State), Marty Gair, (Florida Gulf Coast), Colin Brodeur (Bryant), Albert Serrano (Wagner), Kelan Hoover (Wingate), and Yariel Diaz (Middle Georgia State).