Tallahassee Community College baseball hoping to end season of highs and lows on positive note

Though Tallahassee Community College baseball isn’t postseason-bound, head coach, Bryan Henry, is still closing the year with positives.

The Eagles’ wins and losses both hold value to Henry.

Entering its final week of the season, TCC is 23-24, with a 6-14 mark in the Panhandle Conference.

“The season has been a lot of fun and a grind all in one,” Henry said.

“It’s been full of learning experiences, and we had high moments and a few low moments to learn from. Things haven’t gone our way. We’ve been in almost every game and couldn’t find a way to win. But the guys still came to work every day, trying to get better.

“I’m extremely proud of how the guys have continued to battle and respond to the circumstances.”

Henry, a former All-American pitcher at Florida State, became TCC’s head coach in 2022, replacing the retired Mike McLeod after 32 seasons.

The second-year TCC coach uses lessons learned throughout his first two seasons to hopefully return the program to playoff baseball in 2025.

“It’s about finding the right player that fits into the mold of what you’re trying to do,” Henry said.

“The junior college world is 24/7 recruiting guys you can rely on on and off the field. That’s part of the process that I’ve learned. The end game situation, where you look back and wish you could’ve or should’ve gone this route, is all a learning experience I’ve taken.

“And hopefully, when it comes up next year, I make the right decision.”

This week, TCC has a chance to end its season on a high note as it tries to play spoiler in a four-game conference series against Chipola (29-16, 12-8 Panhandle) in Tallahassee on Tuesday, Thursday, and a doubleheader in Marianna on Saturday.

Chipola is clinging to second in the Panhandle standings and is currently in play to represent the league in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Region 8 Tournament. Losses to TCC could drop Chipola in standings and force it into a play-in game to earn a postseason spot.

“I’m trying to keep the guys having something to play for and stay motivated,” Henry said. “We know Chipola is a great club, and we’ll get their best shot because they have something to play for.

“In this conference, we’ve stressed all year that we have to win every game you play and the other team will not give it to you. We’ll use these last four games to continue to search for a way to win ballgames.”

Coach Bryan Henry, Tallahassee Community College baseball motivated by FAMU, Florida State's success

College baseball in Tallahassee is in a good spot right now.

On the university level, Florida A&M and Florida State are enjoying success.

The Rattlers are atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference East standings. At the same time, the Seminoles are second in the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division and already have eclipsed their winning total from last season.

Henry has prior connections with both programs, serving as FAMU’s pitching coach from 2015 to 2022, starring as FSU’s pitcher from 2005 to 2007, and being the Seminoles’ volunteer assistant coach in 2014.

“It’s fun to watch,” Henry said of FAMU and FSU’s success.

“One of our players from last year, Marco Dinges (FSU), is having a great year there. And seeing Coach Shouppe (FAMU), I wish him the best and all he’s done for my career. And then the coaches are helping Coach Shouppe; Tucker Rayburn, and Jeremiah McCollum, whom I have had the opportunity to coach ― it’s just full circle, and I’m super proud of those guys.”

Seeing the local NCAA Division I programs do well motivates TCC players to elevate to that level from the JUCO ranks.

Henry has helped seven of his players land Division I roster spots, with possibly more to come.

That means this week’s games against Chipola will be the last time Henry coaches those players at TCC.

And he’s hoping to give them a proper sendoff.

“I’m extremely proud of those who are moving on,” Henry said.

“It’s been a pleasure to coach and help those guys, but I can’t thank them enough. They welcomed me with open arms last year and entrusted everything to help them. I hope we lived up to their expectations.

“And to the guys coming back, they see the direction in how we do things, and hopefully they come back next fall ready to rock and roll.”

Tallahassee Community College Baseball Information

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday, April 23: vs. Chipola at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 24: vs. Chipola at 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 27: at Chipola at 2 p.m., 5 p.m.

TCC Players Heading to Division I

Austin Asbill, Left-Handed Pitcher, South Florida

Anthony Castillo, Infielder, South Florida

John Costa, Right-Handed Pitcher, North Florida

Justen Crews, Utility, Florida A&M

Luis Gomez, Catcher/First Baseman, North Carolina A&T

Carter Stanford, Right-Handed Pitcher, Central Florida

Jesus Vanegas, Infielder, Bethune-Cookman

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TCC head baseball coach Bryan Henry reflects 2nd year, 2024 season