Tuesday, July 3, 2012 - FCC Suns Baseball Head Coach, Jon Copeland, has announced the first group of signees in the 2012 recruiting class and he is excited by the talent and depth of this first group of what is shaping up to be an outstanding set of players who will be joining the 2012 NCCAA National Runner-Up Suns Baseball program for next season. “The coaching staff has done and continues to do an excellent job of recruiting talented players, who will also be a good fit for FCC, both in and out of the classroom. We obviously set the bar very high last season, in the first year of the program, so it is only the exceptional player that we are looking for to help propel our program forward”. The first group of six signees includes, Casey Elkins, a transfer from the College of Central Florida, Jon Cormier, from University HS in Ft. Lauderdale, David Quintero, from Miami Christian HS, Zach Martin, from First Academy in Orlando, Adam Rasmussen, from Countryside HS in Clearwater, and Taylor Cornelius, from McKeel Academy in Lakeland.

Elkins played two seasons at the College of Central Florida, one of the top junior college programs in one of the top NJCAA Div. I regions in the country. The Patriots collected 31 wins last season on their way to the regional playoffs. He played in the majority of their games and flashed the leather with an outstanding .989 fielding pct. on defense. “Casey is a blue chip recruit for us”, stated Copeland, “he played in a program that routinely sends players to the Div. I level. He swings the bat with authority and plays great defense. He is the type of player that will make an immediate impact in our program.”

Cormier, the team captain this past season for one of Florida’s elite high school programs, was selected to the 2012 Broward County All-Star Team after batting over .300, with over 20 RBI’s while committing only 1 error and gunning down 80 pct. of attempted steals from behind the dish. He also came in 3rd in the Broward County Home Run Derby. “Jon brings a big stick and polished catching skills to our program”, stated Copeland, “his workout with us was quite impressive”.

Quintero, is the second Miami Christian recruit for the Suns in as many years, following FCC NCCAA South Region Player of the Year and All-American, Eric Santamaria. He is a speedy utility player who helped the Victors reach the district final this past season. “David is a versatile, athletic player who can compete at this level with his talent”, remarked Copeland.

Martin, was a key player in the First Academy’s drive to the postseason the past two years, and topped off his senior year with a 3-for-3 performance in the Royals final game. “Zac has been a vital starter for a winning program and has been successful both as an individual player and with his team, “ stated Copeland, “He is a great fit for our program”.

Rasmussen, was one of the top hitters and a solid defender for an elite Florida HS program as he led the Cougars into the postseason. “Adam brings a great deal of versatility into our program. He is a proven position player who has not yet reached the top of his ability. He also has exciting left-handed skill on the mound”, said Copeland.

Cornelius, is a two-way player with a solid bat and some proven success on the mound. “Taylor is the type of two-way player we love in our program. Other programs may not allow two-way players but we have had a lot of success with them”, stated Copeland, “He can swing the bat and he is a pitcher, not a thrower, on the mound with good experience”.

Copeland reflected on this first group in the 2012 recruiting class, “This is a great start to our recruiting class, it is shaping up to be just as talented, if not more, than our first recruiting class that led us to a winning season and the National Championship game. We have six or seven more signees who will be announced in a short time. We hope to finish with a class of 18-20 players who we can add to a very talented and successful group of returning players, including four All-Americans, who can move the Suns Baseball program even higher”.