CHARLOTTE, N.C.- For the first time in program history, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers have a 1st Team NJCAA All-American as closer Antonio Knowles was bestowed the honor Wednesday after a spectacular sophomore campaign for the Bucs. 

 

When Knowles entered the game late for the Bucs this season, you could go ahead and chalk up a win for the good guys. He led the NJCAA with 13 saves for FSW in 2021 while notching a microscopic 1.35 ERA which was second best in the country for hurlers who pitched 40 innings of more this season.  But arguably, neither of those was the most impressive stat for the Bucs' closer in FSW's Suncoast Conference Championship campaign as he posted a 72 to 5 strikeout to walk ratio on the season, far and away the best mark in the NJCAA ranks this season.  That still wasn't the end of his 2021 superlatives though as his 16.20 strikeouts per nine was tops among NJCAA hurlers that pitched at least 35 innings this year.  

 

Knowles was one of two Suncoast Conference 1st Team All-Americans as he was joined by St. Petesrburg's Gabriel Rincones. Konnor Copeland of Pensacola and State College of Florida catcher Tucker Mitchell earned 3rd Team honors while Gulf Coast's Max Ryerson was an Honorable Mention pick.  

 

The Key West native will likely have a decision to make next month as he has signed to play next season at the University of Florida while also ranking high on a number of Major League Baseball team's draft radar.  

 

Knowles is just the second Buc to earn All-American honors, following in the footsteps of former righthander and current Houston Astro Ryan Gusto who picked up 2nd Team accolades in 2019.