TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- On the heels of their best season in program history, a state high four Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers have been named to the FCSAA All-State Team for the 2021 campaign.
Leading three Bucs on the FCSAA All-State 1st Team was closer Antonio Knowles who was named the FCSAA Fireman of the Year as the top relief pitcher in the state of Florida. Knowles was absolutely lights out for FSW this season, posting an NJCAA best 13 saves while leading the state with a 1.35 ERA on the year. He threw in 24 games this season, logging 40 innings while allowing just 24 hits and six earned runs on the year. He posted an incredible 72 to 5 strikeout to walk ratio, averaging 16.20 strikeouts per nine on the year.
Joining Knowles on the 1st Team was fellow pitching staff member Alex Ayala. The freshman southpaw was 8-3 in 13 starts this season, throwing 63 2/3 innings and notching a 3.53 ERA. He struck out a team best 84 hitters on the season and held the opposition to a .190 batting average on the year. He allowed five or less hits in 12 of his 13 starts on the season.
The lone FSW bat on the 1st Team was slugging infielder Christian Lucio. Lucio had the best single offensive season in the history of FSW Baseball, setting new program records with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs while hitting .330 and stealing 26 bases on the year. He ranked among the state leaders in each of those categories, ranking third in homers, fifth in RBIs, and third in stolen bases.
Making his way onto the 2nd Team was shortstop Warnner Rincones. A rock atop the FSW lineup all season, Rincones led the Bucs with 213 at bats in 56 ballgames this season, hitting .324 with 11 doubles and 53 runs scored. His 38 stolen bases this season set a new FSW single season record while leading the state of Florida and ranking 6th nationally.
The Bucs four selections were tied with Indian River for the most in the state. Along with Knowles being named the Fireman of the Year, St. Petersburg's Gabriel Rincones was named the Player of the Year, Konnor Copeland of Pensacola was the Pitcher of the Year, and Gulf Coast's Dallen Leach was named the Defensive Player of the Year.