A PITCHING FIRST

Seminole star Mike Loynd became the first pitcher to win the coveted Golden Field Award in 1986. Loynd posted a 2.45 ERA, struck out 155 and walked only 38 in FSU’s run to the College World Series. On winning the award, Loynd said, “My freshman year, I pitched four innings and I wasn’t the greatest prospect out of high school. I just worked hard every day and pitched as hard as I could.” After leaving Tallahassee, Loynd was drafted in the seventh round and spent two seasons in the majors with the Texas Rangers.