The 2021 spring campaign has come to an end for SPC's baseball program and once again, the Titan ballplayers bring home more than their fair share of awards and recognitions.
First and foremost, Gabriel Rincones was voted the 2021 Suncoast Conference Player of the Year. Rincones played right field for Head Coach Ryan Beckman's club for every inning of the 2021 campaign (except for one, where he was pitching instead), all the while maintaining a .415 batting average. Rincones' numbers reveal why MLB scouts and opposing coaches hold him in such high regard: In 47 games played, Rincones totaled 26 extra base hits, 43 RBIs and 41 walks. The defense in the outfield only serves to complete the picture. Rincones was 3rd on the team in put outs and led the team in fielding percentage. Outfield Coach Mitchell Wydetic perhaps says it best " I've been around high draft picks at a couple of different places, and Gabe is right there with them in ability and skillset. SPC may never have a player that had the two years Rincones had ever again".
This is the fourth Suncoast Conference Player of the Year that Head Coach Ryan Beckman has had over the past 6 years. Rincones joins Dustin Harris, Alex Hanson and Duke Stunkel on the list of Titan alumni to win Suncoast Player of the Year Honors. "We are so proud of what Gabe has accomplished thus far and what we have been able to achieve as a program" says Beckman.
El Rico Riley also earned First team All-Conference honors, pulling double duty as the Titans everyday left fielder and hard throwing bullpen arm. Riley was a force at the plate, following only Rincones in batting average and total hits but led the team in extra base hits and runs scored.
Christian Rivera rounds out the Titans postseason honors, securing a Second Team All-Conference selection for his time as a catcher for SPC. Rivera was a key middle of the lineup contributor for the Titans offense all year, coming in third for doubles and second for total RBIs. "Christian was a solid defender for us both behind the plate and at first base. He caught a lot of tough games for us down the stretch and only yielded 3 pass balls all year- that's no easy feat" reports Coach Beckman.
Although not receiving and personal awards, third year RHP Gabe Partridge will continue his career at Flagler College next fall. Partridge truly did it all for the Titans this year, seeing his role change from tandem starter, bullpen reliever and true starter as the team's needs changed throughout the season. Partridge, the Tampa native, ranked third on the team in innings pitched and strikeouts for the Titans staff. Pitching Coach Sean O'Connor tauts the impact Partridge had on the program itself "Gabe was huge for us this year. His skillset is so flexible, and his maturity did wonders for the younger arms in our pen. I think he will really dominate the Peach Belt conference.
With Partridge's commitment, he becomes the 16th player off the 2019-20 roster to receive an opportunity to play at a four year program.
