Florida Gulf Coast League Announces 2022 Regular-Season Award Winners

The Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL)’s summer regular-season ended on Friday. On Saturday, in addition to All-Star and Home Run Derby festivities, the league presented end-of-season awards.

Now in its third summer of existence, the FGCL boasted twelve total teams during the 2022 summer season.

Duke utility player Claire Davidson, who played for the Rodeo in the FGCL this summer, was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. A two-way player during the summer, Davidson’s statistics included a .429 batting average, 12 RBIs, and a 1.189 OPS. In the pitching circle, she allowed just two runs in 37.2 innings of work, with a 4-1 record and 35 strikeouts to her credit. Davidson was also selected to the league All-Star team as a pitcher.

Lauren Esman, who recently announced plans to transfer to Alabama and who played for the Squeeze this summer, was named the FGCL’s Pitcher of the Year. Esman recorded a perfect 10-0 record on the summer, with 50 strikeouts, a 10/1 strikeout/walk ratio, and a 0.98 ERA to her credit.

Manatee Squeeze coach Taylor Burt was named the league’s Coach of the Year. Burt led the Squeeze to a 19-2 record on the summer, good enough for a .905 winning percentage and the Sun Division title.

Oklahoma utility player Quincee Lilio was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year; Lilio batted .520 on the summer, with four home runs; 15 RBIs; 14 runs scored; and a 1.479 OPS among her statistics.

Additional award winners included Breakthrough Athlete of the Year D’Aun Riggs; People’s Choice Award winner Allie Light; and Humanitarian Award winner Mackenzie Smith.

Bradenton Lynx and Ohio State hitter Reagan Milliken was crowned as the league’s Home Run Champion; Milliken hit seven home runs on the summer.

The league playoffs begin on Sunday with a single-elimination round of games; further rounds in the playoffs will be double-elimination. The league championship game will take place on Wednesday, July 20th.