Armwood’s Benincasa commits to FSU

Posted May 7, 2009 by Adam Adkins

Updated May 7, 2009 at 04:40 PM

Armwood senior right-handed pitcher Robert Benincasa has verbally committed to Florida State.

Benincasa has been one of Hillsborough County’s top pitchers this season. He’s 10-0 with a 1.09 ERA this season, which includes 78 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.

Benincasa said after his start in Wednesday’s Class 5A-District 8 semifinal matchup against Wharton that he was hoping to land an offer from FSU, which had coaches in attendance for that game. He made an unofficial visit to the Tallahassee campus this past weekend, toured the facilities and left with an official offer. On Monday, he decided to accept it.

Benincasa said his decision essentially came down to FSU and the University of Tampa, which had Coach Joe Urso in attendance to watch Benincasa last Wednesday in the district tournament at Wharton.

“I love the coaching staff over there,” Benincasa said of UT. “I know [pitching] coach Sammy [Militello] does a really good job with all the pitchers. It was basically neither school I was going to have to pay anything. The decision came down to I think I fit better athletically and academically at Florida State.”

Benincasa said he will sign with the Seminoles on Monday. Senior infielder Kristian Calibuso also will sign at that time with Florida Community College at Jacksonville.