10 Panther Baseball Players Sign with Universities
Palm Beach State College baseball has a rich tradition of placing players at 4-year programs upon completion of their Panther careers. 2021 is no different. Below are the list of Panthers that have accepted an offer to continue their playing careers at a 4-year insitution:
Jarrett Bickel - 3B/SS/2B - Purdue University Fort Wayne
Jarrett signed with Purdue University Fort Wayne after an outstanding 2021 season for the Panthers. Bickel was one of the key hitters in the Panther lineup as he hit in the middle of the order for most of the season. Bickel appeared in 40 games hitting .333, drove in 28 RBI, and scored 27 times. The twitchy middle-infielder also stole 9 bases, which was 4th on the team.
Ethan Petric - RHP - Palm Beach Atlantic
Petric is a great story. A transfer from Division III Joliet Junior College in Illinois, Petric earned a spot on the roster due to his versatility and ability to command the strike zone. Appearing as both a starter and a reliever, Petric appeared in 16 games and tallied a 5-3 Win-Loss record. Petric's ERA was a sterling 2.94, which was 2nd amongst the starting rotation. Petric now takes his talents to nearby Palm Beach Atlantic -- just a stone's throw from neighboring PBSC.
Trace Moore - LHP - University of Alabama
Trace heads off to the powerhouse Southeastern Conference to play for a loaded University of Alabama squad. Moore, a veteran on the FCSAA, was a workhorse starter for the Panthers and Head Coach Kyle Forbes. Moore was one of the top two options on the Panthers' starting staff and he was called on quite a bit. Trace finished with a whopping 78.2 innings pitched, which at one point led the NJCAA. Moore's 6 victories tied him for the club lead and included 2 complete game victories.
Thomas Diaz - C - Webber University
Diaz, the Panthers' starting Catcher, takes his talents to Babson Park, FL on the campus of Webber University. A rock-solid defender behind the plate, through out 26% of would-be base stealers. Equally as solid with the bat, in 39 games played Diaz walked nearly as much as he struck out and drove in 21 runs to go along with a .302 batting average. Additionally, Diaz was on-base a whopping 45% if the time, helping set the table for the rest of the lineup.
Anthony Martens - RHP - Valdosta State University
Martens, a heralded transfer from West Florida, appeared in 2 games before his season was cut short due to injury. Over 5.0 innings with the Panthers, Martens was dominant -- posting a 1.80 ERA to go along with 7 strikeouts. He will transfer to Valdosta State with teammate Zach Dodson. Palm Beach has a nice pipeline of players that have transferred to Valdosta State in recent years. Notable players include former outfielder on the 2019 team Jisjar Clotida, 2018 transfer Jowenrick Daantji, 2020 transfer EJ Doskow, and 2020 transfer Roger Ceballos.
Zach Dodson - RHP - Valdosta State University
Dodson, designated as the team's "Ace", will transfer to Valdosta State University along with fellow pitcher Anthony Martens. Dodson finished a terrific 2021 campaign that saw him lead the starting pitching in ERA, allowing just 19 Earned Runs in 13 starts. Dodson was also one of the team's most trusted arms, seeing as he pitched just two less innings than other staff anchor Trace Moore.
JD Johnstone - RHP - City College of New York
Last but certsainly not least, we have Sophomore standout JD Johnstone who will transfer to the City College of New York. Johnstone was quite the useful play for the Panthers in 2021, excelling in every situation the club put him in. JD's 1.35 ERA led the team buoyed by a great ability to induce groundballs. JD tied for third on the team in wins with 5 and ended the season as perhaps the team's most consistent and reliable reliever.
*Update*
Dakota Gaillard - 2B/SS - Washington State University
Gaillard is no stranger to strong Division I baseball programs. After transferring to PBSC from powerhouse Florida State, Gaillard heads off to the West Coast to join the Washington State Cougars. Dakota hit .356 in his lone year at Palm Beach State, which was 2nd on the team and good enough for 15th overall in the state of Florida. Additionally, Dakota was 2nd in stolen bases and 3rd on the team runs scored.
Chuck Fishbaugh - RHP - Keiser University
Fishbaugh had a breakout year for the Panthers, becoming one of the more reliable bullpen arms on the team. Chuck appeared in 13 games, amassing 13.1 innings pitched, and struck out 15. Fishbaugh's 2.70 ERA was 3rd on the team, second among relief pitchers. Chuck now takes his talents to nearby Keiser University along with former PBSC Assistant Coach Sam Martin.
Seth Lovell - RHP - Webber University
The Panthers have quite the string of duos heading to 4-year colleges this season. Seth will join battery mate Thomas Diaz as Panthers heading to Webber University. Seth appeared in 11 games, starting 3 during the 2021 season. Overall, Seth tossed 19.1 innings and struck out a whopping 35 batters. Seth's strikeout rate was tops on the team as he averaged nearly 16.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.