Jesuit’s Bacon commits to UNF

Posted Oct 6, 2009 by Adam Adkins

Updated Oct 6, 2009 at 07:01 PM

Jesuit senior outfielder Alex Bacon has verbally committed to the University of North Florida, Tigers coach Richie Warren said Tuesday night.

Warren said Bacon chose North Florida, a Division I program, over Division II schools Tampa and Florida Southern.

Bacon hit .354 with four doubles, a triple, three home runs, 12 RBIs and scored 29 runs last season for the Tigers.

“He’s a three-year varsity starter. He was at top of the lineup last year and performed well. He’s just a solid player, both offensively and defensively,” Warren said.

North Florida has had some recent changes involving its coaching staff. Longtime coach Dusty Rhodes, who started the Ospreys program, is retiring after 23 years as head coach at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Smoke Laval, the former head coach at LSU, was named Rhodes’ successor, and Warren said Bacon has struck up a rapport with Laval and the new coaching staff.

“He felt comfortable enough with their offer to give his verbal commitment tonight,” Warren said.

Bacon is the fifth Jesuit senior baseball player to commit to a Division I program, joining pitcher Daniel Gibson (Florida), pitcher Willi Martin (Liberty), infielder Chris Reinhart (Notre Dame) and infielder/outfielder Chris Pagliarulo (Boston College).