FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida SouthWestern State closer Antonio Knowles will continue his journey North next season, moving from Key West High School to the Bucs for the past two years, and now will make the move to Gainesville where he will play for the University of Florida after signing with the Gators last week.  

 

Knowles has been just about unhittable this season, proving himself as one of the top closers in the country.  His 13 saves are tops in the NJCAA ranks while his 0.82 ERA is second best.  As impressive as those numbers are, they don't even top Knowles' list of accomplishments this season. In 33 innings pitched over 21 appearances this season, Knowles has put together an eye popping 59 to 3 strikeout to walk ratio.  

 

Last week Knowles was named the Suncoast Conference Fireman of the Year and a 1st Team All-Suncoast Conference selection and will be in line for further postseason honors as the 2021 campaign comes to a close.  

 

Knowles will join a Gators squad that was the consensus #1 team in the country to open the 2021 season. Florida is 29-13 overall and 12-8 in SEC play going into today's series finale with Vanderbilt in Gainesville. The Gators have made an appearance in four of the past five College World Series including claiming the CWS Title in 2017.  

 

Knowles and the Bucs won a program record 42 games during the 2021 regular season, finishing 42-14 overall.  They went 23-7 in Suncoast Conference play to capture their second straight Conference Championship and earn their spot in the FCSAA State Tournament. 

 

The Bucs begin their postseason run on Wednesday in Lakeland when they take on Indian River at 10 AM in the opening game of the FCSAA State Tournament.  

 

Davis is one of seven Bucs to have signed the National Letters of Intent to play at the next level this season, a list that includes Luis Tuero (Arizona), Carter Cunningham (East Carolina), Marc Davis (USF), Warnner Rincones (Louisiana-Lafayette), Matt Whitney (McPherson), and Daniel Maldonado (Cumberlands).