Crummer Students Fuel Rollins’ Baseball Team’s Success
12 Crummer students were on this year’s Rollins Baseball team that advanced to the national semifinals.
By Laura J. Cole
On May 28, the 20th-ranked Rollins baseball team defeated the second-ranked Tampa 13-6, garnering them the South Super Regional crown and a trip to the NCAA II College World Series. The Tars made Rollins history as the sixth team to advance to a College World Series, with previous trips in 1954, 1957, 1959, 1989, and 2004.
But for head coach Jon Sjogren, beating Tampa wasn’t the game that made him realize how good this season’s team was. That happened nearly a month prior.
“Our season series win at Nova Southeastern solidified the fact that we were going to get into the regional, but also solidified for me and the rest of the coaching staff that these guys were for real,” said Sjogren, who was named South Region Coach of the Year. “Beating Nova Southeastern at Nova Southeastern in a lightning delayed, very hot double header day, really showed what they were made of. It was that day that I said that these guys could really do something special.”
And they did. The Tars went on to advance to the national semifinals before falling to fourth-ranked Point Loma. Ultimately, the team had 43 wins—the second-most in the program’s history.
The team also made Rollins’ history for another reason: The 2022 team is the first to have 12 players who are pursuing a Crummer MBA.
“COVID has provided many student athletes with an opportunity to have an additional season of eligibility and competition, and we are fortunate many of our student athletes chose to stay and complete their MBA at Crummer,” said Director of Athletics Pennie Parker. “The advanced degree sets our graduates up for long-term success in the competitive job market, and the trip to the College World Series and the success we achieved this year was an experience our team will never forget. As Director of Athletics, I am so proud of our student athletes and their academic success as well as their athletic accomplishments.”
We asked the players and MBA candidates about their favorite memories from the past season—and how business school and playing baseball are preparing them for life after college.
Andres Antonini ’21
Undergrad: Business management, Rollins College
Position: Third base/infielder
Season personal highlights: Two runs batted in and 10 hits during the season
Favorite memory: “Hanging out with the guys and debating different baseball topics.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer has allowed me to embrace discomfort and rise to the challenge on many occasions. Crummer has also allowed me to establish meaningful relationships that I will continue to carry for many years. On the field, I use the skills I have acquired to be a better leader and teammate.”
Up next: “Currently serving as a data apprentice in baseball operations for the Texas Rangers.”
Kyle Bullock ’22
Undergrad: Business administration, Rollins College
Position: Outfielder
Season personal highlights: Finished 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs in a doubleheader against Nova Southeastern to claim the series win
Favorite memory: The biggest highlight for me this season was hitting the go-ahead home run to win the series at Nova Southeastern. This was a big series for us and the games were super close the whole weekend, and to be able to put together a good at-bat for my team was a great feeling. My favorite memory though was making it to the College World Series. It has been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid and to make it to Cary was something that I will never forget.
Crummer advantage: Crummer has helped me succeed as an athlete because it has taught me some great communication skills that are needed on the field. Baseball is a team game and communication is a key part of success. With so many Crummer athletes on our team, I believe that our high level of communication played a large part in our success as a team this past year.
Up next: After graduation, I want to pursue a career in medical device sales.
Kieran Casey
Undergrad: Economics, Davidson College
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Season personal highlights: 5 strikeouts against Florida Southern
Favorite memory: “Sweeping No. 2 Tampa in the super regionals to advance to the College World Series”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer has given me the opportunity to extend my college baseball career while obtaining an MBA.”
Up next: “I want to see where my baseball career takes me and plan to pursue a career in real estate development and investing.”
Ryan Coleman ’22
Undergrad: Business management, Rollins College
Position: Outfielder
Season personal highlights: Named to the NCAA II Championship All-Tournament Team
Favorite memory: “Beating Tampa and winning the south region to advance to the World Series.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer and baseball have given me a strong work ethic and new perspectives on how I view business relationships.”
Justin Driscoll ’20 ’22MBA
Undergrad: Economics, Rollins College
Position: Right-hand pitcher
Season personal highlights: Scored two strikeouts against Assumption
Favorite memory: “Creating lifelong relationships with the teammates I shared the field with for the last five years.”
Crummer advantage: “From playing baseball and being an MBA student, I’ve learned that the number one thing that makes you successful is the team around you. The business world is no different than the baseball field or the classroom. You need to surround yourself with the right people that will push you, guide you, and support you through the journey.”
Up next: Currently working as an associate at leAD Sports & Health Tech Partners in Lake Nona.
Jared Herron ’20 ’22MBA
Undergrad: Business management, Rollins College
Position: Catcher
Season personal highlights: 15 runs batted in and 6 homeruns during the season
Favorite memory: “Beating Tampa to win the super regional as well as eliminating two teams from the championship and being among the final three teams in the championship.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer and baseball both helped me develop the ability to work with a team and create successful winning teams that know how to come together and create a winning environment.”
Up next: Currently working as a research analyst at Heritage Advisors Group in Winter Park.
Ross Korosec ’20
Undergrad: Economics, Rollins College
Position: Right-hand pitcher
Season personal highlights: Three shutouts during the season
Favorite memory: “Hanging out with the guys in the bullpen during games and talking about everything from politics and academic theories.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer augmented my aptitude for engaging in difficult situations, which has bolstered my playing abilities. Both baseball and Crummer have taught me that having confidence improves your ability to be competent. Doing your homework is important, but it’s just as important to say what you need to say and do what you need to do with conviction.”
Up next: “I will be starting a new role as a management consultant in Washington, D.C.”
Austin Long ’22
Undergrad: Business management, Rollins College
Position: Right-hand pitcher
Season personal highlights: 76.2 innings pitched and 38 strikeouts for the season
Parker Smith ’22
Undergrad: Business management, Rollins College
Position: Outfielder
Season personal highlights: 37 runs batted in and 11 home runs during the season
Favorite memory: “Winning the regional championship and the South region championship, which led us to the World Series, and the great team effort to win the series against Nova Southeastern.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer has helped me form great relationships on and off the field and provided me with structure and leadership lessons I can carry over onto the field.”
Up next: “I plan to pursue a career in finance.”
Tate Stone-Frisina ’21
Undergrad: Social entrepreneurship, Rollins College
Position: Right-hand pitcher
Season personal highlights: 55 strikeouts during the season
Favorite memory: “Pitching in the world series and winning the super regional against Tampa”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer has helped me strengthen my leadership and teamwork skills, and being an MBA student while playing baseball has taught me time management and flexibility.”
Up next: “I plan to pursue a career in operations and am especially interested in green energy and agriculture.”
Steven Swift ’22
Undergrad: Business management, Rollins College
Position: Right-hand pitcher
Season personal highlights: 23 strikeouts during the season
Favorite memory: “Spending a week in North Carolina during the World Series and having a lot of time to hang out with my teammates, serve the community, and play ball.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer has helped develop my leadership skills. Playing both baseball and being an MBA student has taught me you have to be dedicated. You have to do your part. The time you put into your work on the field, in the classroom, and in business correlates directly to your team’s success.”
Up next: “I plan to pursue a career as a wealth advisor in Central Florida.”
Jaylyn Whitehead
Undergrad: Finance, UCF
Position: Left-hand pitcher
Season personal highlights: South Region Pitcher of the Year; Pitcher of the Year by SSC; All-American by Division II Collegiate Commissioners Association and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association; Academic All-American by CoSIDA; ABCA All-South Region First Team, D2CCA All-South Region Team, and SSC All-SSC Baseball Team
Favorite memory: “Holding up the Southern Regional Championship trophy with the team after beating Tampa and going to the College World Series.”
Crummer advantage: “Crummer has helped me succeed as an athlete by sharpening my skills as a leader on and off the field with my teammates.”
Up next: “I will be working as a financial analyst at U.S. Anesthesia Partners in Maitland. I plan to pursue a career in finance and strategy.”