May 8, 2025

Baseball Takes Home Six Awards

Bradenton, Fla - As the #22 SCF baseball team prepares for the final four in the NJCAA Region 8 Baseball Tournament, five of the players were able to take home conference awards and recognitions for their hard work on the field, which was highlighted by freshman Lochlan Radloff winning the Citrus Conference Pitcher of the Year accolade. Radloff joins classmate Myles Davis and sophomore Luke Boykin on the All-Citrus Conference First Team, while freshman Aidan Ray and sophomore Hayden Gustavson were named to All-Citrus Conference Second Team.

"Very proud of Lochlan, Luke, Myles, Aidan and Hayden for their hard work on the field," said head coach Tim Hill II. "They really deserved this recognition for the work they have done for this season."

Radloff became the fourth Manatee under Hill II to win conference pitcher of the year (Robby Kalaf [2013], Zach Attianese [2018], Michael Forret [2023]).

"Lochlan is incredible and deserved to win conference pitcher of the year," said Hill II on Radloff. "He's super competitive and had some really good games for us, which even included three straight shutouts. I still think there's a lot of room for hims to keep getting better."

The local product from Lakewood Ranch High School is currently 7-4 with a 3.53 ERA, 32 walks and 93 strikeouts in 81.21 innings of work while throwing six complete games (five of them being shutouts), which is #1 in the state and tied for #1 in the nation. Additionally, Radloff was named as one of the top 10 players in the Citrus Conference. In his start at regionals, he earned a no-decision after throwing six and a third innings with two strikeouts.

Davis, who has been the team's starting designated hitter after returning to the lineup on March 18, is currently batting .374 with 55 hits, 35 runs, five home runs and 34 RBI. Additionally, the native of Marion, Iowa is currently on a 17-game hitting streak, dating back to April 3.

"Myles has been slowed down by a few injuries, but he has been one of our best hitters," said Hill II on Davis. "He has a great approach and good balance in the box where he has been getting some really big hits for us.

Boykin is currently batting .342 with 53 hits, 44 runs, 18 home runs and 48 RBI. His 18 home runs ranks #2 in the state and #10 in the nation.

"Luke winning first team all-conference was well deserved," said Hill II on Boykin. "He improved a lot from last year and proved that in his hitting this year. He's been a really huge par of this team's path to success."

After transitioning from a relief pitcher to starting pitcher, Ray, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, finished the regular season 5-2 with a 4.72 ERA, 36 walks and 69 strikeouts in 68.2 innings.

"Aidan's progression has been really good," said Hill II on Ray. "He's got good stuff and he's continuing to learn how to us the stuff we taught him while being competitive and keeping his emotions under control, so it was nice to see him do well.

Guastavson, who earned second team recognition as a catcher, is currently batting .340 with 49 hits, 36 runs, two home runs and 31 RBI. He went 4-for-8 in the regionals with two RBI. In fact, Gustavson hit the clutch RBI single that gave the Manatees the win over Northwest Florida State for game one of the regionals.

"If you would have told me starting this season he'd be our number one catcher and do something, I'd say probably not," said Hill II. "I think Hayden has worked really had behind the plate to become a pretty good defensive catcher. He's not just a defensive guy, he gives us a lot of offense, knows how to play the game, plays hard and is very versatile while playing other positions when he is not a catcher, but you'll really see the improvement from him behind the plate and has been a key to our success."

The Manatees look to add more to their regime as they face #6 Florida Southwestern to open the final four of the tournament.