FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida SouthWestern lefty Josiah Velazquez will be headed from one Championship program to another next season after wrapping up his Buccaneer career with Citrus Conference and FCSAA Championships this season and signing with the NCAA Division II National Champion University of Tampa Spartans for next season. 

 

Velazquez was a 1^st Team All-Citrus Conference selection this season for FSW, pitching in 20 games and going 3-2 with a team high 5 saves out of the bullpen.  He logged 43 innings with a 3.56 ERA while striking out 45 opposing hitters and walking just 11. He finished his Buccaneer career with 42 appearances which ranks 4^th in program history while his 7 career saves is tied for 3^rd most. 

 

He heads to Tampa with battery mate Nik Pereira after the Spartans claimed their second straight National Championship this season at the Division II level.  Tampa finished 55-10 overall, winning five elimination games at the World Series to win their 10^th National Title in program history.  

 

Velazquez is one of nine players who have signed at the next level for the Bucs this season, joining Abel Albarran (Middle Tennessee St.), Luke Orfi (Texas Tech), Jake Mueller & Anthony Ruocco (UNC-Greensboro), Nathan Fink (Sam Houston State), Brock Knoerr (Western Kentucky), Beau Brailey (Campbell), and Nik Pereira (Tampa).