FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida SouthWestern lefty Jahir Perez will make the short trek North to Lakeland next season after signing with NAIA powerhouse Southeastern University on National Signing Day in Suncoast Credit Union Arena. 

 

Perez pitched in 13 games as a freshman last season for the Bucs, going 2-2 with a save while posting a 5.70 ERA.  He logged 23 2/3 innings, striking out 32, good for a 12.17 strikeouts per nine mark. Perez earned his first collegiate win in his longest outing of the season when he went 4 1/3 strong against Pasco-Hernando.  Later in the year he chalked up a career high 6 strikeouts in 4 shutout innings of work against Inspiration Academy to earn his other win of the season. 

 

Perez will join a Southeastern program with a wealth of program history. The Fire have qualified for the NAIA World Series in each of the past five seasons while winning National Championships in 2018 and 2022.  

 

Perez is one of 11 overall early signees for the Bucs this season joining Justin Thomas (Arkansas), Landon O'Donnell (Florida State), Jared Davis (Virginia Tech), Victor Figueroa and Isaac Upole (Pittsburgh), Alex Walsh (Oklahoma State), Reyn Watson (Appalachian State), Nate Earley (Appalachian State), Logan O'Leary (UNC-Charlotte), and Luca Danos (Loyola Marymount).