Play ball! TCC Baseball heads to Panama City for season opener

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 24, 2013) - On Thursday, Tallahassee Community College's baseball team earned a No. 10 preseason ranking in the FCSAA Baseball Coaches' Poll. Friday, the ranking will be put to an immediate test when the Eagles open the season with two games at the First Pitch Classic hosted by Gulf Coast State College.

Tallahassee will play a pair of seven-inning games, beginning with a 3:30 p.m. eastern tilt against Darton (Ga.) State College. The Eagles will play Central Alabama Community College in game two at 6 p.m. eastern.

Fresh off a 32-19 campaign in 2012, Tallahassee is primed for an even stronger run this season, one the Eagles hope ends with their first FCSAA Tournament berth since capturing the Panhandle Conference Championship in 2009.

The Eagles' roster boasts 14 sophomores, many of whom played a key role in the team's success a year ago. Outfielder Nick Graganella (.307, 0 HR, 21 RBI), third baseman Trent Higginbothem (.306, 5, 49), catcher Tyler York (.320, 1, 30) and Anthony Torres (.285, 0, 24, 20 SB), who is expected to move from second base to shortstop, lead the crop of second-year players.

University of North Florida signee Daniel VanSickle (5-3, 4.50 ERA) will anchor a veteran pitching staff that includes southpaws Nick Deckert (4-1, 3.89) and Jared Stanley (4-1, 2.55), and righty Patrick Riley (1-2, 3.32).

Following Friday's twin bill, Tallahassee will play another pair of seven-inning affairs on Saturday - a second meeting with Darton State (4 p.m.) and a rare non-conference matchup against a Panhandle Conference foe - a 6:30 p.m. contest against host Gulf Coast State.

Tallahassee's season-opening five-game road trip continues on Tuesday with a trip to Douglas, Ga., where the Eagles will play South Georgia College.