ADRIAN AT A GLANCE: Throws three pitches for strikes … Extremely tough competitor with a strong arm … Looks to add depth to the Buccaneers’ bullpen.
SENIOR (2016): Went 1-4 with one save ... Made 18 appearances with four starts ... Worked 42 2/3 innings on the bump ... Struck out 33 batters ... Fanned five in 3 2/3 innings, allowing no runs and one hit at Florida Tech (Apr. 9) ... Worked three innings, allowing one unearned run, two hits and struck out one to pick up win over Embry-Riddle (March 12).
JUNIOR (2015): Appeared in nine games, started in seven ... Had 27 strikeouts in 34.0 IP ... Held opponents to a .210 batting average, which was second best on the team ... Named to Dean's List in fall.
SOPHOMORE (2014): Appeared in 14 games, starting in 13 ... Had a 3-4 record ... Earned a 4.04 ERA for fourth best on the team ... Pitched 69.0 innings, most on the team ... Struck out 61 batters ... Second best on the team with opponents' batting average of .264 ... Named to the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the spring semester.
FRESHMAN (2013): Led the Bucs’ bullpen with 19 appearances in relief, and collected two saves … Tossed 39 innings, and struck out 40 batters … Finished with a 5-1 record to go along with a 2.77 ERA … Pitched a career-high seven innings, and struck out six batters in a 6-4 loss to No. 2 Tampa (March 28) …Played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League with the Saratoga Brigade … Pitched 41 innings, and finished the summer with 38 strikeouts and 11 walks …Threw a complete nine-inning game against North Adams in which he allowed just one run and two hits.
RED-SHIRT (2012): Did not participate.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Mater Academy in 2011 and was a four-year letter winner under Eddie Gorriz … Finished with a 7-2 record, a 2.22 earned run average and 62 strikeouts his senior year ... Struck out 136 in his four-year career, and finished with a 22-8 overall record to go along with a 2.66 ERA ... Played in the futures Collegiate Baseball League with the North Shore Navigators ... Struck out 37 batters, helping the Navigators to a second-place finish.
PERSONAL: Son of Adolfo Benitez and Haydee Herrera … Majoring in criminology ... Has a younger sister, Adriana.
