WINTER HAVEN -- Polk State Baseball was well represented on this year's All-Suncoast Conference team. The Eagles totaled eight honorees, including four first-team selections, and two award winners.
Outfielder
Nelson Taylor was named the Suncoast Conference Defensive Player of the Year while relief pitcher
Ryan Combs was named the conference's Fireman of the Year. Both were joined on the All-Conference first team by pitcher
Evan Koehler and catcher
Travis Stapleton. Infielders
Damion Kenealy and
Roberto Odor and outfielders
Ray Mercer and
Ray Bermudez were all named to the second team.
In addition to his solid defense, Taylor led Polk State in several offensive categories this season, including batting average (.371), hits (63), RBIs (46), doubles (17), home runs (6), slugging (.647), on-base percentage (.476), and with an FCSAA-leading 28 stolen bases. The sophomore and Florida State University signee also boasted a perfect fielding percentage with four outfield assists in 115 chances.
Combs, a freshman, led the Eagles with 29 appearances and was tied for the team lead with six wins. Combs posted a 6-3 record with a 5.18 ERA while striking out 64 batters in nearly 49 innings of work. He added an FCSAA-leading 10 saves – good for second in the country.
Koehler posted a 6-1 record with a 3.39 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 69 innings of work this season with one complete game. The freshman ranked in the top 10 in the state in innings pitched, strikeouts, and ERA.
A University of North Florida transfer and Lipscomb University signee, Stapleton finished second for Polk State in batting average (.348) and hits (62) this season. Stapleton added three home runs and 35 RBIs.
A University of Tampa signee, Mercer broke the Polk State single-season triples record this year with 11 – good for fourth nationally. For the season, Mercer is hitting .288 with 26 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a team-leading 58 runs scored.
After spending the fall at the University of Miami, Bermudez has settled in nicely for the Eagles, hitting .306 with three home runs and 43 RBIs. The freshman ranks second on the team in RBIs and doubles (11).
Kenealy, a freshman, finished the regular season with a .296 average. A two-way player, Kenealy was tied for the team lead six home runs to go with 36 RBIs. As a pitcher, Kenealy held opponents to a .229 average while adding two saves.
A local product, Odor has batted .343 as a freshman. A reserve to begin the year, Odor started 30 games for Polk State, finishing with five doubles, 13 RBIs, and a .415 on-base percentage.
"These guys come in, work hard every day, and are continually striving to get better," Head Coach Al Corbeil said. "I'm happy for them. As a coach, you love to see all that hard work recognized."
Suncoast Conference Selections
First Team
Ryan Combs, P, freshman, Bradenton, Fla. (Fireman of the Year)
Evan Koehler, P, freshman, Orange City, Fla.
Travis Stapleton, C, sophomore, Clermont, Fla.
Nelson Taylor, OF, freshman Clearwater, Fla. (Defensive Player of the Year)
Second Team
Ray Bermudez, OF, freshman, Hollywood, Fla.
Damion Kenealy, IF/P, freshman, Pasadena, Md.
Ray Mercer, IF/OF, sophomore, Road Town, British Virgin Islands
Roberto Odor, IF, freshman, Winter Haven, Fla.
