Joe Urso and Kevin Ferguson Nab Top Conference Awards

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference announced its 2007 baseball award winners and all-conference teams, pegging University of Tampa head coach Joe Urso as its Coach of the Year and starting pitcher Kevin Ferguson as the Pitcher of the Year. The SSC champion Spartans led all schools with 10 all-conference selections, including four first-team honorees.

Joining Ferguson on the first team were teammates Ryan Kennedy (2B), Craig Corrado (OF) and Jonathan Holt (RP). The second-teamers for UT include Roberto Mena (SS), Troy Ferguson (OF), Junior Mejia (OF), Chris Rosenbaum (C) and Nolan Brannon (DH). Jose Jimenez was named honorable mention as a utility player.

Urso earns Coach of the Year recognition for the second straight season and the fourth time overall. He is just the second SSC baseball coach to earn the honor four times. In his seventh season at his alma mater, Urso led the Spartans to a 45-9 record and a No. 1 national ranking. Notching a 20-4 conference mark, Tampa won its second consecutive SSC title. The squad has earned the top seed in this week's NCAA South Region Championship and will serve as host for the event May 17-20. Urso has guided the Spartans to the NCAA tournament in each of his seven seasons as head coach.

Ferguson compiled an 11-2 record on the mound, and his 11 victories are the most of any pitcher in the SSC. A product of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Ferguson tallied a 2.68 ERA, which ranks sixth in the league. He struck out 78 batters (fifth SSC) while surrendering only 17 walks. Ferguson was tabbed SSC Pitcher of the Week for the period ending April 29.

Following is the complete 2007 all-SSC teams and award winners:
ALL-SSC BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
1B - Bryan Cook, Nova Southeastern
2B - Ryan Kennedy, Tampa
3B - Arden McWilliams, Florida Southern
SS - Steve Condotta, Florida Tech
OF - Nicolas Boisvert, Lynn
OF - Craig Corrado, Tampa
OF - Matt Mindick, Nova Southeastern
C - Ricky Nolan, Saint Leo
DH - Tristan Rainone, Florida Southern
SP - Ryan Clark, Saint Leo
SP - Kevin Ferguson, Tampa
SP - David Nathanson, Rollins
RP - Jonathan Holt, Tampa
UTIL - Orestes Gonzalez, Barry

Player of the Year - Nicolas Boisvert, Lynn
Pitcher of the Year - Kevin Ferguson, Tampa
Freshman of the Year - Brayan Valencia, Nova Southeastern
Coach of the Year - Joe Urso, Tampa

SECOND TEAM
1B - Joe Arminio, Lynn
2B - Gabriel Casanova, Barry
3B - Gary Martoccio, Rollins
SS - Roberto Mena, Tampa
OF - Will Cherry, Florida Southern
OF - Troy Ferguson, Tampa
OF - Junior Mejia, Tampa
OF - Brian Schultz, Florida Southern
C - Chris Rosenbaum, Tampa
DH - Nolan Brannon, Tampa
SP - Dan Albritton, Florida Southern
SP - David Bernat, Barry
SP - Nolan Mulligan, Lynn
SP - Mike Piazza, Florida Tech
RP - Brad Davidson, Florida Southern
UTIL - Shawn Langlois, Nova Southeastern

HONORABLE MENTION
1B - Eric Spicer, Saint Leo
3B - Eric Trillas, Florida Tech
OF - Andrew Frezza, Barry
UTIL - Jose Jimenez, Tampa