![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/www.daytonastateinmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/FalconsBaseball.png\")
<\/a>The 2014-2015 Daytona State Falcons Baseball Team is ready, willing and able to take on all competition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>The fall season is a series of games that helps gauge and improve the team\u2019s skills and strength as a unit and prepares them for the upcoming spring conference matches. Tim Touma, Head Coach of Falcons Baseball, will be entering his 15th year coaching the team for the 2015 season, and remarked on the team\u2019s progress over the semester.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think these guys are students first and then athletes, and that\u2019s the right way to do it.\u2019 \u201cWe usually start the fall with around 35 players, then bring it down to 25 for the spring. About midway through the fall, we realized that the freshmen were doing a good job. When we started blending them into the team they were able to pick up everything quickly. The team has the right make and work ethic to be good.\u201d Touma said.<\/p>\n Austin Marrs, infielder, is one of the returning sophomores and is highly optimistic about the way the team has been shaping up. Johnny Ortiz, returning pitcher, also spoke highly of the way the team is shaping up.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that off the field everyone has a strong bond, we all look to each other as friends. On the field, we\u2019ve been able to bring in some hitters and pitchers to fill the roles we need, and this team has a lot better attitude and ability compared to some previous ones.\u201d Ortiz said.<\/p>\n The team has also had several notable successes that stood out in the minds of the players.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had several memorable moments this season. We had three weeks in a row where we had 20 hits as a team, that was a good run. We also beat Florida State College, Jacksonville, and they\u2019re one of our conference rivals, so it\u2019s definitely a boost of confidence knowing that we beat them in the fall.\u201d Ortiz said.<\/p>\n The team is shaping up in the eyes of the coach and players, but there is more to the team than just their performance on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just about the game, the rest of the time the players must be good students and good people on and off the field. Last semester we won the National Academic Team of the Year in Baseball. That means that we had the highest GPA out of every two year college in the country. I think these guys are students first and then athletes, and that\u2019s the right way to do it.\u201d Touma said. Falcons Baseball will begin their spring season games on Jan 21 with a scrimage game against Embry-Riddle University at Embry-Riddle, then follow it up with a Jan 24 game versus IMG academy at Daytona State\u2019s main campus. A full schedule for the spring games can be found at www.daytonastate.edu\/baseball\/schedulespring.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scott Turner In Motion Staff Writer The Daytona State College men\u2019s baseball team completes their fall season as a well-oiled machine, coming together and scoring some memorable victories. The fall season is a series of games that helps gauge and improve the team\u2019s skills and strength as a unit and Continue reading Falcons Baseball team looking to bring fall success to spring season as upcoming conferences approach<\/span>
\n\u2014Tim Touma<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019re doing really well, we have a lot of nice hitters and good freshmen. The team has really come together with the new players.\u201d Marrs said.<\/p>\n
\nIn addition to the regular games, a special exhibition game called Fall All-Star Showcase was held to recognize the top players in the Florida region and give them a chance to play in front of college and major league scouts from all over the country. Falcon\u2019s Baseball was well represented, with Johnny Ortiz, Phoenix Sanders, Austin Marrs, Luke Johnston, Shane Swanson, and Joe Shue named to the showcase.<\/p>\n