Next Level: Stephen Espinoza Heading to Charleston Southern
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - Allan Hancock College infielder, Stephen Espinoza, has committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Charleston Southern University next season.
"I was drawn to Charleston Southern after many conversations with the coaching staff where I was able to learn about their culture and the type of environment that they've created within the program. I never pictured myself living on the East Coast and never expected baseball to be the thing that would get me there," Espinoza shared. "The coastal vibes and the opportunity to compete at the Division I level again in a new setting is a gift from God."
Espinoza spent one season with the Bulldogs on the field after transferring over from San Jose State University. He was a First Team All-Conference selection this year after leading the Bulldogs with 48 RBIs and a .542 slugging percentage on the season en route to a .345 batting average. The Lompoc native picked up a Gold Glove designation for his work at shortstop this season where he recorded a .955 fielding percentage and was in on 23 double plays after 178 chances.
"My time at AHC helped me prepare by giving me opportunities to perform and, maybe more importantly, opportunities to fail. Failure breeds success and having a coaching staff that helped me work through failure and allowed me to take advantage of both big and small moments," Espinoza added. "Now with the experience of both successes and failures in live performance, I can say that I am well prepared for both at the next level."
The Buccaneers are a Division I member of the NCAA and compete in the Big South Conference.
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