Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Eight Players Sign NLI with Baseball
11/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 11, 2004
Eight players have signed National Letters of Intent to play baseball at Florida Atlantic University for the 2005-06 season. Six high school players and two junior college players have agreed to join FAU next season announced recruiting coordinator John McCormack.
"We are very excited about the young men that have signed with FAU," said McCormack. "They are all quality people, students and players. We look forward to them having an impact on the program."
Adding depth and experience to the pitching staff next season, two junior college pitchers will make their way to Boca Raton. Brendon Cooney a right-handed pitcher from Broward Community College has been drafted the last two seasons by the Chicago White Sox. He currently plays under former FAU pitching coach Bob Deutschman.
"Brendon is a powerful pitcher. We look for him to have an impact on our staff right away. I have enjoyed watching him get better every year," said McCormack.
The second junior college transfer comes from South Suburban College. A 6'1", 200 pound left-hander, Joel Schmal hails from the same JUCO where former FAU All-American Dan Jackson pitched.
"Joel reminds me of Randy Beam, a winner," said McCormack. "He has won at every level and we are excited that a player of his character and ability will be joining us."
Two high school pitchers, Alex Pepe and David Munoz will be joining FAU next season. Both are right-handed pitchers with good stuff and carry great academic honors as well. Munoz is a senior this season at Monsignor Pace High School. Last year he acted as the team's closer and carried a 1.16 ERA. Academically he is a member of the National Honor Roll and Who's Who Among American High School Students.
"David is a very good pitcher with a tremendous future," said McCormack. "He has also done it in the classroom by carrying a 4.0 average. He will be a successful player at FAU."
Pepe is a Deerfield Beach resident who attends Highland Christian Academy. In his junior season he carried a 2.27 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 64.2 innings of work. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who Among American High School Students and is an All-American Scholar.
"Alex has tremendous talent," said McCormack. "His pitching ability is well beyond his years. It will be exciting watching him grow."
Four position players from the South Florida area have signed to play for the reigning Atlantic Sun Champions. Danny Lima from Miami was a member of the Florida Christian School that won the 2A State Championship last season. He was selected as a Pre-Season All-American by Collegiate Baseball and TPX but earned several post season honors as well. He was named the 2A Player-of-the-Year in Florida along with First-Team All-Dade and First-Team All-State. He posted a .420 average with five home runs, 38 RBI and stole 25 bases in his junior season. The middle infielder also does well in the classroom and holds a 3.7 GPA.
"Danny is a tremendous baseball player," said McCormack. "He has won at every level. I look for him to make an impact on our team right away."
Heralding from Nova High School and the alma mater of former FAU player and third-round draft pick, Jeff Fiorentino, Nick Arata and William Block won a state title with the Titans last season. Arata, a middle infielder finished the season second in the county in runs scored (30) and was ranked fourth with 17 stolen bases. He was named First-Team All-Broward by the Miami Herald.
"Nick really knows what he is doing on the baseball field," said McCormack. "He can pick it with the best of them."
Block, who could see time in the infield or outfield, batted .381 for the Titans last year with 31 RBI, third most in Broward County.
"William is one of the most versatile players I have seen," said McCormack. "Offensively, he reminds me of former FAU star Paul Stryhas. He has great wrists and power."
With the ability to play catcher, the infield or outfield, Travis Ozga will be a great addition to the team. An Honorable Mention All-State recipient, he produced 28 RBI to rank second in the county to go along with 18 runs scored.
"Travis can do it all. He has shown the ability to play a number of positions and is also a switch hitter," said McCormack. "He has a chance to be a very good player."
Florida Atlantic's baseball team is currently in fall practice. The team will open the regular season on February 11, 2005 against Cincinnati. The team will host Cincinnati, TCU, Purdue and Michigan before playing the St. Louis Cardinals in an exhibition game and making its first road trip to UNLV.
