8/16/12 - Suns Head Baseball Coach, Jon Copeland, announced the second of the FCC Baseball program’s three groups, that will comprise the 2012 recruiting class, today; and though it took him awhile to do it (the group is the largest of this year’s recruiting class with eight new Suns Baseball players), he didn’t seem to mind- he is excited by the impact this group will have on the Suns Baseball program. “The experience and talent in this group, rivals any of the previous recruiting groups that we have had;” stated Copeland, “and we have had some pretty good recruiting groups. The number of transfer players is ahead of last year’s pace and the depth in playing experience and talent is significantly upgraded”.

The group includes six highly-recruited transfer players beginning with Ramon Cedeno, a red-shirt freshman, from NCAA DII power the University of Tampa. Prior to that, he was a two-time All-State player at Osceola HS, where he was team captain and helped them to a league championship his senior year. “Ramon was a top recruit coming out of high school and he has the skills to prove it, he is dangerous at the plate with plus bat speed and plus power. He is a big player who has the ability to impact our program immediately. Plus, he is a very respectful young man with leadership ability”, said Copeland. Next is Elim Perritte, a sophomore transfer from Point University, a NAIA program in Georgia. Perritte, as a freshman last season, was the Skyhawks second best hitter with a .333 avg., 41 hits, 25 RBI’s and a .496 slugging pct., as he helped to anchor the middle of their lineup. “Elim is a proven top-level talent and a top-level person. He is the type of player we love at FCC Baseball, with his ability to immediately impact the program both on and off the field”, stated Copeland. Next is Josiah Candelaria, a sophomore transfer from Ranger Junior College in Texas and he also had a chance to play in the prestigious Florida Collegiate League this summer, “Josiah played in more than half the games for a NJCAA Div. I program in Texas, which has some of the best junior college baseball in the country. He comes into our program with a wealth of experience, and he is a better player and better person because of it”, remarked Copeland. Next is Adam Tewksbury, a sophomore transfer from NJCAA Div. I, Indian River State College; and prior to that he stared at Okeechobee HS. “Adam comes to us from one of the top JC programs in the state of Florida, also known for some of the best junior college baseball in the country. An injury cut his season short last year, but he is a highly-skilled player who is dedicated to the game, and the classroom,” stated Copeland. Next is Fabian Hance, a red-shirt freshman, from NJCAA Div. I national power Miami-Dade College. “The coaches at Miami-Dade spoke very highly of Fabian. They said he was one of the most improved players in their program and that he was very close to making their regular roster. A roster that is typically reserved for players who either get drafted or Div. 1 scholarships”, remarked Copeland. The final transfer in group two is Stephen Reyes, also a red-shirt freshman, from Miami-Dade College. “Stephen also brings some good experience from the Miami-Dade program,” said Copeland. “He is an athletic, versatile player with a strong desire for the game”.

Group two also includes two highly-touted freshman players. The first is Kevin Perez, a blue-chip recruit from Spoto HS, near Tampa. Perez was second on this team last season in hitting and RBI’s as he batted .340, and led the Spartans in slugging pct (.540) and doubles. He is also a two-way player with a live arm and strong presence on the mound. “Kevin is probably the most scouted true freshman that we have had in the short history of the Suns Baseball program”, remarked Copeland, “and as he continues to progress I am sure that professional scouts observing our program will be more of a common occurrence for us”. Next is Randy Petito, from Island Coast HS. Petito played in every game his senior year as he led the Gators to a 2nd place finish in their district and into the postseason as he tied for the team lead in RBI’s and doubles. “Randy is a solid recruit for us, he is a skilled, hard-working player who is a proven winner”, stated Copeland.

As the defending NCCAA National Runner-Up, in just the second year of the program, Copeland was committed to bringing in a stellar recruiting class that would continue the precedent of Suns Baseball competing for a National title, “This second group in the recruiting class establishes us as having one of the top recruiting classes in our division,” observed Copeland. “Even though this is only the program’s second year, the word is already getting out to recruits and future prospects about the quality of Suns Baseball”. Copeland stated that the third and final group of recruits would be announced shortly- stay tuned.