FORT MYERS, Fla.- On the heels of a 42-15 campaign, a program record five Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers have been named to the FCSAA All-State Team released by the state office on Wednesday night.
Leading the five Bucs on the All-State squad was freshman Brian Holiday who was named the FCSAA Fireman of the Year. Holiday was 7-1 with five saves this season in 20 appearances, leading the state with a 1.20 ERA in 52 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out 74 and walked just 15 on the season, holding opposing hitters to a .178 batting average against.
Following up his Suncoast Conference Pitcher of the Year honors, FSW sophomore ace Magnus Ellerts was named a 1st Team All-State selection. Ellerts ranked second in the state in wins with 10 and strikeouts with 101, while posting a 2.48 ERA on the year which was fifth best among FCSAA starters. He allowed just 48 hits in 69 innings pitched on the year, holding opposing hitters to a .193 batting average against him.
Joining Ellerts on the 1st Team was battery mate Satchell Norman. Norman was the Bucs top hitter this season, batting .376 while reaching base at a .465 clip. He tied for the team lead with 10 home runs on the year and was second in doubles with 16 and third in RBIs with 47.
The Bucs had a pair of infielders named to the 2nd Team in shortstop Jose Izarra and first baseman Hunter Fitz-Gerald. Izarra played in 51 games for FSW this season, hitting .341 while leading the state with 24 doubles and leading the Bucs with 55 RBIs on the year. Fitz-Gerald hit .359 and slugged .646 for the Bucs as a sophomore, tying Norman for the team lead with 10 home runs while driving in 48 which ranked second on the team.
Central Florida had a state high six All-State selections led by Player of the Year Caleb Cali and Pitcher of the Year Ben Chestnutt.
With their 1st Team selections, Holiday, Ellerts, and Norman will now be considered for NJCAA All-American honors which will be announced at the conclusion of the Juco World Series later this month.