Four TCC Baseball players receive All-Panhandle Conference honors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 2, 2023) – Four TCC Baseball players received All-Panhandle Conference honors, announced by the FCSAA on Tuesday afternoon. Marco Dinges (C, Soph.) and Ziggy Thomas (OF, RS-Soph.) received first-team honors, while Seth Dudley (RHP, RS-Soph.) and Jesus Vanegas (INF, RS-Fresh.) received second-team honors.

Dinges received first-team honors for a second consecutive season. In his freshman year he served primarily as the team's designated hitter, but this year he became the team's starting catcher. The move to the backstop did not affect his offensive production, as he set new career-highs in batting average (.383), on-base percentage (.486), slugging percentage (.713), home runs (8), and RBI (40). He saw an increase in his home run and RBI output despite having 54 less plate appearances this season. Dinges finishes his TCC career with a .360 batting average, 15 home runs, and 78 RBI.

Thomas was named to the second-team after a stellar sophomore season in the heart of the Eagles' lineup. His offensive numbers took a huge leap from his freshman season, setting career-highs in batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.422), slugging percentage (.427), RBI (25), and stolen bases (7). On February 17 against State College of Florida, Thomas came through with what was probably the biggest hit of his TCC career. Down 10-9 in the top of the ninth with two outs, he launched a home run over the right field fence and gave TCC an 11-10 lead. John Kent (RHP, RS-Fresh.) got the save in the ninth inning to secure the victory.

Dudley spent his last season at TCC as the team's most dependable starting pitcher. After throwing just 20 innings in his freshman season, Dudley made 16 appearances on the mound this year, 12 of which came as a starter. He totaled 76 innings and had a 4.26 ERA. He led the team in wins (7), innings pitched, and complete games (2). On March 25, Dudley pitched 8.1 innings, his longest career outing, and held the Pirates to just three runs while striking out six.

Vanegas spent his first year at TCC as a redshirt, but came back this season as the team's most versatile infielder and one of their biggest offensive contributors. Vanegas, who spent time at second base, third base, and shortstop finished the year with a .932 fielding percentage and 101 assists. At the plate he hit .311 with a .413 on-base percentage. He finished the season with the third-most home runs on the team (8) and second-most RBI (38). Through the first eight games of the season, there wasn't a more dangerous hitter in Region 8. He went 17-for-29 (.586) with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 18 RBI.