Pasco-Hernando State College Sees Strong Recruitment from Athletic Programs by Four-Year Colleges & Universities
Pasco-Hernando State College has continued to be one of the epicenters for recruitment in the athletic world this past year.
After back-to-back national tournament appearances, including a NJCAA World Series Championship in 2025, the Bobcats have not only drawn in young talent but established strong recruitment nationally.
2025 World Series MVP Bradon Durfee (Kansas University), 2025 NJCAA DII Honorable Mention All-American Juan Lopez Faria (LSU New Orleans), 2026 FCSAA DII Most Valuable Pitcher Hector Escobar (Bethune-Cookman), and 2026 FCSAA DII MVP Vance Celiberti (University of Michigan) are a few of the fifteen players from the baseball program have been recruited by major four-year universities and colleges this past season.
Furthermore, four basketball players have been recruited after the Bobcats’ successful postseason run including star duo and 2026 FCSAA DII All-Tournament Team Members Joseph Stosh (Spartanburg Methodist College) and Malcom Warthen (Georgia Southern ~ East Georgia).
On the court, volleyball standout Heylanis Aquino (Edward Waters University) has been recruited.
Under first-year head coach Kasi Vassallo, three softball players have moved up to the next level. Most notably, 2026 FCSAA Sun-Lakes All-Conference Second Team Member Briana Browder (Florida National University).
In Men’s Cross-Country, standout runner Lucas Garcia (Florida College) was recruited this past offseason.
The Bobcats’ rising trajectory in junior college athletics secures their spot as one of the hottest colleges in all of Florida.
You can read the full list of athletes below:
Men’s Baseball
Sebastian Berrios (Bethune-Cookman / NCAA DI)
Alex Rodriquez (LSU New Orleans / NCAA DI)
Matthew Hoag (Jacksonville University / NCAA DI)
Nicholas Cucchi (Seattle University / NCAA DI)
Derek Westfall (Purdue University / NCAA DI)
Nicolas Koorse (Alabama State University / NCAA DI)
Hector Escobar (Bethune-Cookman / NCAA DI)
Isaac Palacios (Tennessee Tech / NCAA DI)
Evan Alwine (Gardner-Webb / NCAA DI)
Eduardo Marales (University of Albany / NCAA DI)
Bradon Durfee (Kansas University / NCAA DI)
Michael Halfpenny (Embry Riddle University / NCAA DII)
Vance Celiberti (University of Michigan / NCAA DI)
Juan Lopez Faria (LSU New Orleans / NCAA DI)
Gavin Zassenbraker (University of Charlotte / NCAA DI)
Men’s Cross Country
Lucas Garcia (Florida College / NAIA)
Women's Volleyball
Heylanis Aquino (Edward Waters University / NCAA DII).
Men’s Basketball
Brandyn Seldomridge (Spartanburg Methodist College / NAIA)
Malcolm Warthen (Georgia Southern ~ East Georgia / NAIA)
Joseph Stosh (Florida College / NAIA)
Ben Koubek (Voorhees University / NAIA)
Women’s Softball
Hannah Gniadek (Florida National University / NAIA)
Briana Browder (Florida National University / NAIA)
Sophia Spengler (Warner University / NAIA)
PHSC Athletics Celebrates Academic Success from Spring Semester.
PHSC Athletics has continued its commitment to educational excellence this past spring semester.
Four teams achieved a combined 3.0 GPA or higher: baseball (3.42), men’s cross-country (3.22), women’s cross-country (3.13), and softball (3.17). 72 athletes from all seven sports achieved a 3.0 GPA or above in the spring. Notably, nine athletes across the athletic programs garnered an exemplary 4.0 GPA or higher.
PHSC Athletics congratulates our student-athletes for their outstanding academic achievements.
PHSC Releases 2026-27 Women’s Volleyball Season Schedule.
The Bobcats’ 2026-27 Women’s Volleyball schedule has been released! Pasco-Hernando starts their season with a six-game road trip during the Open Weekend Tournament in Rockford, IL.
The Bobcats will host South Florida State on September 9th at 6:00 p.m. EST in Building K, located on the West Campus, for the home opener.
For more schedule details, check out the link below and come support your fellow Bobcats!
bobcats.phsc.edu/sports/volleyball/schedule
This article was written by Robert Lischak, PHSC Athletics Student Assistant
Edited by Lyndon Coleman, PHSC Athletics Director.