Excerpts from www.thesunconference.com
TAMPA, Fla. – The Sun Conference announces its major award winners and all-conference honorees for the 2025 baseball season, including Florida Memorial University baseball catcher
Christopher Marte, who was named First-Team All-SUN.
Simon Grinberg of Keiser has been named the Sun Conference Player of the Year. The senior outfielder from Kitchener, Ontario, has been a consistent presence and leader for the Seahawks, competing in all 45 games this season. A First Team All-Sun Conference selection, Grinberg hit .344 in league play and leads the conference in both slugging percentage (.750) and home runs (10). He also leads the league with 24 walks.
Blayne Huter of Webber International has been named the Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year. The senior from Sebring, Fla., led the conference with 58 strikeouts in league play and recorded six wins. Overall, Huter ranks first in the conference in innings pitched (82.0), wins (12), and shutouts (2), while holding the second-best ERA at 2.09. His 12 wins also rank third nationally.
Jon Paul Pennella of Southeastern has been named the Sun Conference Freshman of the Year. In an impressive debut season, Pennella hit .402 in conference play and .443 overall. He tallied 45 hits, drove in 25 runs, recorded six extra-base hits, and scored 65 runs. A Second Team All-Conference outfielder, he also stole 19 bases, making a significant impact on both sides of the game for the Fire.
Horiam Santiago of Warner is this year's Champion of Character award recipient. As stated by Coach Luke Jaksich, "Horiam is an outstanding individual who represents our university with excellence. He serves as the FCA Leader for our team and consistently demonstrates tremendous character both on and off the field."
Gabe Grinder of Southeastern has been named the Sun Conference Coach of the Year. In his first season at the helm, he led the Fire to their sixth straight Sun Conference Regular Season Title. SEU holds a 39-11 overall record and went 18-10 in league play. Entering the SUN Tournament as the No. 1 seed, the Fire will look to capture their fifth consecutive tournament title.
Baseball Award Winners
Player of the Year -- Simon Grinberg, Keiser
Pitcher of the Year -- Blayne Huter, Webber International
Freshman of the Year -- Jon Paul Pennella, Southeastern
Champion of Character -- Horiam Santiago, Warner
Coach of the Year -- Gabe Grinder, Southeastern
Baseball All-Conference Teams
| First Team |
| Pos. |
Name |
Institution |
| C |
Connor Hicks |
Southeastern |
| C |
Christopher Marte |
Florida Memorial |
| 1B |
Ryan Recio* |
Webber International |
| 2B |
Gavin Baird |
Keiser |
| 3B |
Andrew Almendarez |
Keiser |
| SS |
Tanner Kelly* |
Ave Maria |
| SS |
Alfonso Villalobos |
Southeastern |
| DH |
Peter Tassler |
Southeastern |
| OF |
Charlie Collins |
Southeastern |
| OF |
Jesus Gonzalez |
Ave Maria |
| OF |
Simon Grinberg* |
Keiser |
| OF |
Diego Guevara* |
Warner |
| SP |
Juan Fernandez |
St. Thomas |
| SP |
Blayne Huter* |
Webber International |
| SP |
Kyle Keyes |
Keiser |
| SP |
Aaron Robertson |
Southeastern |
| RP |
Noah Palmese |
Webber International |
| |
|
|
| Second Team |
| Pos. |
Name |
Institution |
| C |
Camren Carroll* |
Webber International |
| C |
Eddia Novoa |
St. Thomas |
| 1B |
Jordan Crawford |
Ave Maria |
| 1B |
James Strom |
Southeastern |
| 2B |
Lucas Lopez |
St. Thomas |
| 3B |
Luis Morera |
St. Thomas |
| SS |
Erick Ballenilla |
St. Thomas |
| DH |
Edbarry Guzman |
Keiser |
| OF |
Daytan Biegel |
St. Thomas |
| OF |
Luis Cedeno |
Warner |
| OF |
Jalen Martinez |
Webber International |
| OF |
Jon Paul Pennella |
Southeastern |
| SP |
Hunter Cashero |
Ave Maria |
| SP |
Carlos Polanco* |
St. Thomas |
| SP |
Dalton Robinson |
Webber International |
| SP |
Reece Wissinger |
Southeastern |
| RP |
Cole Jones |
Southeastern |
* - Repeat First or Second Team All-Conference honorees from last year
