DeLand, FL - Four members of the DeLand Suns have been selected to play in the 2025 Florida Collegiate Summer Leauge All-Star game. Those players are Gavin Thomas (outfield), William Rollings(pitcher), Michael O’Brien (outfield) and Paul Janeczko (pitcher). These players were selected through a vote consisting of fans of the leauge. They will make up the East team, managed by Jesse Litsch Sanford River Rats.

“Those guys are absolutely deserving,” Suns head coach Cameron Jergens said. “I’m glad they got the award.”

The lone player who was selected to be a starter is Thomas. The outfielder from Davidson has been dynamic at the plate this season. Thomas has played in 22 games so far this season and has a batting average of .292 and recorded 19 hits. He currently leads the league in home runs with five and is second in RBIs with 19.

“I feel extremely blessed and honored to be named an All-Star and represent the Deland Suns,” Thomas said. “I’m grateful to the team and coaches for believing in me. All Glory to God!”

The other hitter representing the Suns at the All-Star game will be O’Brien. The outfielder from Kaskaskia Community College currently leads the Suns in batting average, batting .340. O’Brien has appeared in 23 games and made 50 plate appearances at the time of writing. He has recored 17 hits and five RBIs. 

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be one of the representatives for the Suns in this year’s all-star game,” O’Brien said. “I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to play the game I love. I am fortunate to have family, teammates, and coaches that have been very supportive this summer. I am ready to help the team in any way I can and I’m excited for this experience!”

Set to represent the Suns on the mound is Rollings (undecided). Normally called onto serve as the Suns’ closer, the right-hander is the current league leader in ERA, holding a .59 average at the time of writing. Rollings has appeared in eight games, all in relief, and has pitched 15.1 innings. He has only allowed eight hits and one earned run while also striking out 16 batters and holding a record of 1-1. Rollings has also been used as a hitter, hitting .270 with 10 hits and an RBI in 37 plate appearances.

“I feel blessed and grateful for the opportunity,” Rollings said. “Excited to get out there and compete against some of the best guys in the league”

Joining Rollings the mound will be Janeczko (undecided). This season the right-hander has appeared in eight games and started in three. He has pitched in 23.1 innings, in which he has allowed only 13 hits and eight earned runs for an ERA of 3.08, while also holding a record of 2-1 and striking out 19 batters. 

“Just grateful for the opportunity to represent the Deland Suns in the All-Star Game and excited to compete alongside some of the best players in the league.” Janeczko said. 

These four Suns will join the best players from around the Florida Leauge on Tuesday, July 8 when they take the field for the 2025 All-Star game. The game will be held at Sanford Memorial Stadium and first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Nick Porcelli