York signs with Clemson, Abbatinozzi to UNF

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 25, 2013) – Two more members of Tallahassee Community College's 2013 baseball team announced their future plans last week during a signing ceremony inside the Bill Hebrock Eagledome – Tyler York signed with Clemson University and James Abbatinozzi inked a scholarship with the University of North Florida. 

For York, a Tallahassee native and former Leon High School standout, it was an especially meaningful afternoon, as he signed his national letter of intent in front of numerous family members and friends. 

"I've been waiting my whole life for this day," said York. "Being a Clemson Tiger has been a lifelong goal and now that I have the opportunity to put my name on that (scholarship) paper, it's a dream come true and I couldn't ask for more." 

York originally signed with State College of Florida in 2010 and spent his first year of college at the Bradenton, Fla., school but transferred back to Tallahassee with two years of NJCAA eligibility remaining. 

Playing for his hometown Eagles, York posted a .310 batting average with six home runs and 71 RBI in 86 career games and became a two-time all-Panhandle Conference honoree at two different positions. 

As a freshman, he earned first-team all-conference honors as a catcher after batting .320 with one home run and 30 RBI. In 2013, he moved 90 feet away to first base and was named second-team all-conference while batting .302 with five home runs and 41 RBI. 

Ironically, York's defensive transition opened the door for Abbatinozzi, who developed into an all-conference catcher. 

After playing in only 21 games as a freshman, Abbatinozzi became the Eagles' everyday catcher in 2013. He played in 50 games and batted .295 with 30 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Defensively, he gunned down 42 percent of the opponents' base runners (16-of-42). 

At North Florida, Abbatinozzi will be reunited with a pair of his Tallahassee teammates – pitcher Dan VanSickle and third baseman Trent Higginbothem, who signed with the Atlantic Sun Conference school earlier this year. 

But for the St. Augustine, Fla., native, UNF, located in nearby Jacksonville, Fla., will also provide Abbatinozzi with the opportunity to close out his college career in front of his family, something he couldn't overlook in the decision-making process. 

"UNF is one of the schools I've always known about," said Abbatinozzi. "It's close to home and close to my family and that was a huge factor. 

"I'm really excited to be there." 

While York and Abbatinozzi are stepping on to a bigger stage, both players feel prepared for the challenges that lie ahead as a result of playing at Tallahassee and in the Panhandle Conference. 

"I feel like I can jump in and make an immediate impact, without a doubt," said York. 

"I'm very confident," added Abbatinozzi. "Playing against some of the best players in the country in the (Panhandle) conference and state, I've pretty much seen it all in Tallahassee."