--Daytona Beach, FL

Sophomore pitcher Joey Hecht was name the 2019 FCSAA Bill Tuten Scholar Athlete of the Year at the annual FCSAA State Baseball meetings in Lakeland, FL. This award is given annually to the most outstanding baseball player in the state that exemplifies the highest character and perofmrance in the classroom, in the community and on the field. 

Hecht is a native of Centerville, OH and maintained a 4.0 GPA over two years at Daytona State College. The sophomore was the Scholar Athlete of the year at the annual Daytona State Awards Convocation. Hecht was a two time Mid Florida Conference Scholar Athlete, a two time FCSAA Scholar Athlete Award winner, and a two time NJCAA All Academic First Team selection. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor's Society. 

Hecht has appeared in 36 games over his two year Falcon career, both as a starting and relief pitcher. This year he has pitched 29.2 innings with three wins, one loss and two saves. He has accumulated 22 strikeouts while posting a 4.25 earned run average. The 4.25 earned run average is currently 3rd best on the team. 

Hecht's role on the team however was not served in limited capacity as Coach Touma states:  “In my 18 years as head baseball coach at Daytona State College Joseph is as great a student-athlete as I’ve had the honor to coach.  Joseph is a leader on and off the field, a champion of giving back to his community and Daytona State College. He is the first to volunteer and the last one to leave the field every day!”

Joseph will be attending Florida Institute of Technology to major in Aerospace Engineering as well as participate on the Panther baseball team.