News-Sun file photo by DAN HOEHNE
Chaz Abeln will remain a Panther, but will be doing his pitching, and hitting, in Atlanta with the Georgia State University Panthers after signing a letter of intent Wednesday afternoon.
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published: Friday, November 21, 2008
Abeln to be a Panther, at Georgia State
By DAN HOEHNE
daniel.hoehne@newssun.com
The early signing period ended Wednesday and five SFCC Panther baseball players made the most of the day by signing letters of intent to play at four-year universities - notably former Blue Streak Chaz Abeln who signed on at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
It shouldn't be an unfamiliar transition for the Sebring standout, as he'll be going from the South Florida Panthers to the GSU Panthers.
And it will be a somewhat of a return to his roots as he will be back in his old colors of blue and white.
"I think Chaz was looking for a place that he could continue to both pitch and hit," SFCC head coach Rick Hitt said. "I have known (GSU head coach) Greg (Frady) for a long time and he was excited to hear that Chaz actually hit as well."
Frady is now in his third year as the head coach of the Panthers, after coaching Central Florida from '97-'03, and is coming off the most wins and highest winning percentage in the school's history last season.
Georgia State was formerly of the Atlantic Sun Conference and is now in it's third season as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
"It started a couple weeks ago,"Abeln said. "They saw me pitch at the JUCO All-Star game. I had a good outing and they called me that night to come up for a visit. It's right in downtown Atlanta, you can walk to the state capital. It's different from what I'm used to. It's something new.
"They made an offer I couldn't pass up," he continued. "They'll give me the chance to pitch and compete for a position too. Not many schools would give me a chance to hit and pitch on the Division I level. I've been praying and whatever God wants me to do, I'll do. I guess that's where he wanted me to go. And I guess I was meant to be a Panther."
Hitt also sees a good fit for Abeln in Atlanta.
"I think he is a great fit as a rotation starter for them, and will bring a great deal to their staff," he said. "We are excited for Chaz and his family and look forward to the success he will help us achieve this spring and his future days at Georgia State."
Other SFCC Panthers that will move on to four-year universities after the '09 season are Jerry Neufang (Liberty University), Cameron Nelson (Campbell University), Leo Chang (Texas Pan-American University) and Avon Park's Johnny Sedlock (University of Central Florida).
"We are very happy for each of these players and their families as they will all have the opportunity to continue their academic and athletic careers," Hitt said. "They have all done an outstanding job in the classroom and have worked extremely hard to improve the craft on the field.
"We look forward to continuing to work with some of our sophomores who did not choose to sing early to help them find the right fit in the future," he continued. "The advancement of these guys continues to say a great deal about the quality of our faculty, staff and administration at South Florida, and the efforts our student-athletes give."
