Florida A&M adds TCC’s Ryan Deckert to pitching staff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 22, 2014) – Florida A&M University head baseball coach Jamey Shouppe has announced the signing of Tallahassee Community College standout Ryan Deckert to a national grant-in-aid. 

Deckert, a Tallahassee native and former prep standout at Leon High School, joins the Rattlers following a two-year career with the Eagles that produced a 3-1 record and 3.75 ERA in 25 career appearances. 

"As someone who grew up in Tallahassee, I've seen Ryan pitch his whole life," said Shouppe, the 2014 MEAC Coach of the Year. "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with him." 

Shouppe also emphasized the opportunity for Deckert to learn from newly-appointed pitching coach Bryan Henry, another Tallahassee product who enjoyed a wildly successful career at both the collegiate and professional levels. 

"I know we're getting a good pitcher and can keep him going in the right direction in order to help him achieve his dream of playing professional baseball." 

Deckert, along with twin brother, Nick, pledged their commitments to Tallahassee head coach Mike McLeod and the Eagles in 2011 but Tommy John surgery delayed Ryan's collegiate debut until the 2013 season. As a freshman, he pitched in ten games and posted a 3.55 ERA during the Eagles' Panhandle Conference Championship season. 

This past season, he saw action in 15 games and totaled 37.2 innings on the mound. 

"I'm so proud of Ryan," said McLeod. "He's overcome Tommy John surgery and I believe his best days are ahead of him as a pitcher. As he distances himself more and more from the surgery, he'll get stronger. He's nowhere close to reaching his ceiling 

"He's going to a program where Jamey and Bryan can take him further in his development." 

With Florida A&M's announcement, Deckert becomes the 14th and final member of the 2014 Eagles to move on to a four-year program. He's also Tallahassee Community College's first baseball signee at Florida A&M since Shouppe was named head coach in 2013.