BOCA RATON, Fla. – Hunter Cooley and Nick Toney will serve as the Florida Atlantic University baseball team’s 2022 captains, as announced by head coach John McCormack Friday.
Representing the Owls as a captain is both a heavy responsibility and an honor bestowed by the players, who along with the coaches have one vote each. In the case of Toney, it is a double affirmation of his leadership, as the fourth-year catcher, enters his second season as one of the squads’ captains.
MAC’S MESSAGEHead Coach John McCormack
“I think this year’s selections are a very good choice. You talk about role models, they are guys that do everything correctly, that teammates respect and I thought they were a fantastic choice. They have the pulse of the team. I listen to what they choose to tell me. They know the information I need and can help me get information to the team or to individuals as well. Both Hunter and Nick are high level human beings and good baseball players.”
Cooley, also a fourth-year member of FAU baseball, led the Owls in 2021 with an 8-4 record and returns with the most innings pitched from a year ago. The southpaw led the Owls a year ago with a 4.23 ERA. He tallied 57 strikeouts and surrendered just 18 walks, while holding opponents to a .273 batting average. His mound presence transcends into the locker room where he has been an integral part of the Owls since his freshman season in 2019 and has helped the younger players through the transition of a new pitching coach.
Toney has played in 65 games as an Owl, including the shortened 2020 season, primarily behind the plate where he not only works one-on-one with Cooley, but the entire pitching staff. In three seasons, he has belted eight home runs, five doubles and a triple en route to a .404 slugging percentage. He gets on bases at a .306 clip and holds a career .994 fielding percentage.
CAPTAINS COMMENTSHunter Cooley
“It’s an honor to be named captain and great to know that my teammates see me as a leader. I’m looking forward to a great 2022 season.”
Nicholas Toney
“For me to be selected as a captain again means the world. I love this team and program with all my heart and I’m glad that my teammates have confidence in me to be a leader. We have a lot of talent on this team and I’m excited to see the great things we can accomplish this season.”
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