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Armwood's Powers commits to UF

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Armwood pitcher Zack Powers throws against Hagerty High School May 15 at Armwood.

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 14, 2009

Armwood High rising senior baseball player Zack Powers had a handful of scholarship offers from Division I programs, but was unsure of which one to accept.

That was until he made a recent visit to the University of Florida campus in Gainesville.

After seeing what the Gators had to offer, the Hawks standout shortstop/right-handed pitcher ended his recruitment by giving a verbal commitment to Florida on Sunday.

"It was really tough until I went up to Florida and then visited. I just fell in love with the campus and it was just awesome," said Powers, who also had offers from in-state schools USF, FIU, FAU and Florida Gulf Coast. "The coaching staff has tons of experience and the facilities are top of the line. I met a few of the players while I was up there too, and they were really cool, really down to earth."

Powers was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team selection as a junior after helping the Hawks reach the state tournament for the first time in program history. At the plate, Powers hit .467 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 16 RBIs and 31 runs scored. On the mound, he went 5-1 with a 1.85 ERA, striking out 79 in 53 innings pitched. Powers said the Gators plan to use him in the infield and on the mound in college.

Powers is the second Hillsborough County rising senior baseball player to recently give a verbal committment to the Gators program, joining Jesuit pitcher Daniel Gibson. Like Gibson, Powers is glad to have the recruiting process over quickly.

"All it does is give me a chance to just start working out and focusing more on the upcoming high school season," Powers said.

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