TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Simmons signs with Seminoles

File photo

South Florida right-hander Adam Simmons has committed to pitch for FSU in the fall of 2010.

ADVERTISEMENT

Special to Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2009

AVON PARK - South Florida Community College pitcher Adam Simmons has committed to Florida State University and will join the Seminole pitching staff in the fall of 2010.

Simmons, who was a standout at Sebring High School, becomes the sixth Panther baseball player to attend Florida State since 2000, and is the 95th Panther in the last 10 years to move onto a four-year school or professional baseball.

"We are very happy for Adam and his family," said SFCC baseball coach and Athletic director Rick Hitt. "When he committed to us I remember him saying that one day he hoped he would get a chance to play at Florida State and it's great that it has worked out this way for him.

"He has grown and improved a great deal since leaving high school, his game has elevated and the strides he has made velocity and pitch development-wise are a credit to him working at it daily within our program."

The right-handed Simmons went 6-5 with a 4.13 era in 81 innings pitched as a freshman last year.

"Adam statistically got off to a good start last year," said Hitt. "But he was forced to come back on short rest a few times late in our year when we had three starters go down with injuries.

"His numbers probably would have been a bit better than they were if he was on regular rest. "

"That's the way it is supposed to work", said Jamey Shouppe pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida State University.

"I get a call from a coach who runs an outstanding program, whose opinion you respect, you go see his player play, and he is just what the coach told you he was," Shouppe said.

"Then the young man says yes and it's great when it works out that way and we are very excited to have Adam coming in.'

Simmons, who helped lead Sebring to the state final four as a senior, has elevated his game at the very competitive junior college level.

"We are happy for Adam because he's a good guy who works hard," Hitt said. "Adam is one in a long line of former players who have left our program prepared for what lies ahead in college or professionally. It's really amazing to look back now after having 10 teams and see how many guys have gone on from here and it's a credit to the time and effort our players continue to put into daily improvement in all phases.

"We hope this year that Adam will go out and lead a pitching staff full of inexperienced college guys and continue to get better each day. If he maintains the same approach, great focus and work habits that got him to where he is now, good things should continue to happen for him."

The Highlands Today sports staff can be reached at 863-386-5837 or sports@highlandstoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT