Florida Southern Fall Report: Defining the Championship Standard for 2026

The Florida Southern Mocs entered the Rick O’Dette era with a thunderous statement in 2025, orchestrating a massive 20-win improvement from the previous year to finish with a 38-15-1 overall record. This resurgence saw the program climb as high as fourth in the national rankings and earn the prestigious honor of being a Regional Host at Henley Field. Finishing second in the ultra-competitive Sunshine State Conference with a 20-9-1 mark, the Mocs proved they are once again a national force, though they remain hungry for a tenth national championship to add to their storied trophy case. Coach Rick O’Dette, now entering his second season in Lakeland with over 700 career wins at the Division II level, has quickly established a culture defined by aggressive baserunning and athletic versatility.

The Offense

The identity of the Florida Southern offense is built on pressure, as evidenced by their 230 stolen bases last season, which ranked second in the country. While the team returns just 29.1% of its plate appearances, the returning core is led by the electric Mikey Scott. An ABCA First Team All-South Region and First Team All-SSC selection, Scott is a nightmare for opposing catchers. Last year, in 224 ABs he hit .371 with 8 doubles, 9 HR, and 56 RBI, while ranking third in the conference with 51 stolen bases. Joining him is veteran catcher Corey Filley, a member of the All-SSC Defensive Team, who in 156 ABs hit .295 with 6 doubles, 1 HR, and 19 RBI.

The lineup will be bolstered by high-impact transfers, most notably Gavin Smith from NAIA IU Kokomo. Smith arrives as a dynamic playmaker who slashed .323/.421/.611 with 11 doubles, 11 home runs, and 14 stolen bases last season. Another key addition is senior shortstop Ryan Jenkins, a transfer from Carson-Newman known for his athleticism and leadoff potential. Jenkins slashed .264/.377/.401 last year, demonstrating elite plate discipline with 29 walks compared to just 27 strikeouts. Freshman Eric Harrison Jr. also joins the fold as a 4x All-County selection and a plus athlete who could contribute immediately.

The Pitching Staff

While the offense generates the headlines, the pitching staff remains the backbone of the program, with 63.8% of the innings pitched returning for the 2026 campaign. The rotation is headlined by Sachem Ramos, a Second Team All-SSC right-hander with significant professional draft buzz. Ramos posted an 11-2 record with a 4.29 ERA in 98.2 IP, utilizing a 90-94 mph fastball and a sharp slider to rank third in the conference in wins. Behind him is Brandon Jung, who works in the 88-92 mph range and posted a 3-2 record with a 6.20 ERA in 40.2 IP last season. The staff also benefits from the return of Tanner Rollyson, who threw 33.0 innings with a 5.18 ERA, and Casey O'Dell, who went 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA in 21.2 IP while flashing a plus curveball. Rob Tracy adds further depth to the bullpen, having maintained a 3.24 ERA across 16.2 IP last season.

The Mocs have heavily recruited the transfer portal to fill out the staff, adding graduate student Christian Carew from D1 Eastern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 righty brings experience and a 90-94 mph fastball to the Lakeland mound. Another significant addition is Elliot Joslin, a 6-foot-6 transfer from D1 St. Mary’s who touches 94 mph with a plus slider. From the D1 ranks at VMI, the Mocs also landed Evan Parmer, who struck out 43 batters in 41 innings last year and possesses a three-pitch mix he can throw for strikes. John Essig, an All-G-MAC selection from Ashland, provides a reliable left-handed option after posting a 3-0 record with a stellar 1.98 ERA in 27.1 IP.

Key Departures

The Mocs will have to replace several decorated veterans who were instrumental in last year's regional run. Grant Thoroman leaves a significant void in the outfield; he was a First Team All-SSC and All-South Region performer who led the conference with 71 RBI. Also departing is Noah Rabin, another First Team All-SSC outfielder who ranked third in the conference with a 1.15 OPS.

Another departure is shortstop Jevin Relaford, who hit .300 and stole a whopping 68 bases last season. On the mound, the loss of Logan Adams will be felt, as the Second Team All-SSC right-hander anchored the rotation with a 5-2 record and a 3.57 ERA. Other notable losses include defensive standout Rohsean Riley and utility man Ahmad Fitts, both of whom earned All-SSC honors during their tenure.

Schedule & Outlook

The 2026 schedule is designed to test the Mocs immediately, beginning with a high-stakes road series against the University of West Florida starting on January 30, 2026. The Argos are coming off a season where they reached the South Super Regional, and these two programs have a history of tight battles, including a split of four games in 2025. February features a heavy home slate at Henley Field against opponents like Valdosta State, a Gulf South tournament participant, and Young Harris, who earned a Southeast Regional appearance last season.

The heart of the SSC schedule will define the season, highlighted by an April series against the University of Tampa. The Spartans are the defending back-to-back national champions and represent the ultimate barometer for the Mocs' title aspirations. Other critical matchups include a late-season series against Rollins, a program that finished just behind the Mocs in the 2025 standings, and a regular-season finale against Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. If the new-look offense can replicate the pressure of last year’s squad and the veteran arms provide the expected stability, Florida Southern is well-positioned to make a deep run into May.

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