State College of Florida baseball team honoring 'Seven' on uniforms and hats this season

BRADENTON -- Each fitted cap has the same embroidered number slapped on the back.

There's even plans for a patch with that same digit attached to each uniform.

It's the number, "7," and it's a season-long tribute to National Junior College Association Hall of Famer Tim Hill, who wore that number the longest during his tenure as State College of Florida's second baseball head coach.

Hill passed away in late December, and retired in 2012 as Florida's all-time winningest junior college baseball head coach.

"It's a pretty special thing. When you think about the almost 60-year history of the school, there's only been three head coaches. Bob Wynn, who built the program. Tim, who put it on the map and made it an icon. ... And Tim Jr. taking over."

Current head coach Tim Hill II added: "I think he would say every year, our goal is the same. We're playing to keep this tradition going, to get to Grand Junction and to help these guys advance their careers."

So this season's Manatees are looking to build off last year's deep state tournament run.

Two key pieces off that team, pitcher Taylor Cockrell and power hitter Brad Zunica, were drafted by the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres, respectively.

But SCF has filled those gaps with transfers like pitchers Jeremy Orbik (Kentucky) and Ryan Miller (Florida Atlantic) and outfielder Andrew DiLacqua (IMG Academy/Arizona State/Chipola).

DiLacqua, who is from Lakewood Ranch, figures to be a key hitter in a lineup that should score runs by the bunches.

"I think he's going to drive in some runs for us," Hill II said. "I like his swing. He's a very good athlete. ... I think he can play any of the three outfield spots."

In addition, SCF received an influx of freshman talent such as Haines City's Keshawn Lynch, Illinois native Ethan Skender and South Carolina native Tyler Romanik.

While Hill II likes using the first part of the schedule, prior to Suncoast Conference action, to gauge what his regular starting lineup will be, Skender and Lynch are expected to feature in the middle of the infield.

"We have a tough non-conference schedule, but I think that makes you better," Hill II said.

This year's schedule does have a wrinkle to it, though, with the inclusion of Florida Southwestern to the Suncoast Conference. Having an additional conference member means more league games. It's something that Hill II said he's a big fan of.

"We kicked around some different formats and we're doing the 30 games, so I think it'll be a dogfight," Hill II said.

A key opponent in chasing down the Suncoast Conference title this spring is Polk State, which has become the Manatees' new rival under former SCF player and recent Hall of Famer Al Corbeil.

But while Polk State, which captured last year's conference title, pose an immediate threat to SCF's chance at a successful year, there are several powerful clubs across the state vying for the JUCO World Series berth that is awarded to the state champion, too.

One of those teams, Northwest Florida, thwarted SCF in last year's state tournament winner's bracket final before claiming the JUCO World Series title in Grand Junction, Colo., and have added three Division-I transfers to bolster its squad.

"Last year they got hot in the state tournament and just rolled through Grand Junction," Hill II said. "Florida plays pretty good baseball."

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 11:52 PM with the headline "State College of Florida baseball team honoring 'Seven' on uniforms and hats this season ."