BASEBALL ADDS NINE ON NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

Follow @RadfordBaseball

RADFORD, Va. – Radford baseball head coach Joe Raccuia announced the signing of nine future Highlanders on Wednesday afternoon. The class features five pitchers, two infielders, and two catchers.

"What an outstanding incoming class this is so far. Justin Willard came into his new role as our recruiting coordinator and took off running. He and Mark McQueen nailed this class," Raccuia said. "We made our program better with the addition of these talented student-athletes. Radford University will be proud to have these players on campus and in the community."

AUSTIN CROSS
6-2 | Pitcher | 180 | L/L | Charles Town, W. Va. | Jefferson | Marucci Stars

NOTES

Has compiled a 20-4 record during his high school career
2016 Stats: 10-1, 0.62 ERA, 88 K's in 68 innings pitched
Earned Jefferson's ERA award during his freshman and junior seasons
PBR State Ranking: 7
PBR Position State Ranking: 1
PG Position National Ranking: 250
PG State Ranking: 3
PG Position State Ranking: 1
High School Coach: John Lowery
Travel Ball Coach: Carson Carroll

Raccuia on Cross: Austin is a proven winner and a real competitor. All he has done every step of the way is win games. He is a long lanky left-hander that will continue to get better, but his pure stuff has a chance to be pretty special.

BRUCE HUDSON
6-2 | Pitcher | 190 | R/R | Washington, D.C. | St. John's | Diamond Skills Dodgers

NOTES

2016 stats: 2-2 record, 1 save, 3.82 ERA, 20 K's in 22 innings pitched
2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship All-Tournament honoree
2015 WWBA 2017 Grad National Championship All-Tournament honoree
PG Position National Ranking: 637
PG State Ranking: 2
PG Position State Ranking: 2
High School Coach: Mark Gibbs
Travel Ball Coach: Andy Devitt

Raccuia on Hudson: Bruce is a strong physical right hander that continues to develop. He should be able to impact our program on the mound. He was a player that we targeted early in the process and feel very fortunate to get him on campus

CODY BOONE
6-3 | Pitcher | 165 | R/R | Roanoke, Va. | Hidden Valley | RTG Baseball

NOTES

Was named to the all-conference, region and state teams as a short stop
2015 Under Armour preseason All-American
High School/Travel Ball Coach: Randy Boone

Raccuia on Boone: We needed a Cody Boone. A very solid position player, but Cody has really stepped up with his commitment to become a full time pitcher. He is a long, lean and athletic pitcher; who can throw from multiple arm slots. This will allow him to come in and pitch right away for us.

GARRETT MATHENY
5-11 | Catcher | 180 | R/R | Perry Hall, Md. | Calvert Hall | Mid-Atlantic Red Sox

NOTES

2016 Stats: .380 average, 30 hits, five home runs, 22 RBIs, .759 SLG, 1.223 OPS
All-MIAA Conference Baseball A Award
Perfect Game All-Tournament Team
PBR State Ranking: 25
PBR Position State Ranking: 5
PG Position National Ranking: 220
PG State Ranking: 19
PG Position State Ranking: 1
High School Coach: Lou Ecker
Travel Ball Coach: Allen Haines

Raccuia on Matheny: Garrett continues to get better. He's a Craig Biggio type of player, were his athleticism will allow him to not only catch, but to play other positions as well. He can really run and hit, which should fit great into our system.

HUNTER WILLIAMS
6-3 | Pitcher | 195 | L/L | Carrsville, Va. | Windsor | Richmond Braves

NOTES

2016 Stats: 6-0 record, 0.58 ERA, 54 K's in 36 innings pitched
Went 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 26 K's in 20 postseason innings
2016 Conference 41 Player of the Year
All-conference as a pitcher and outfielder
All-region as a pitcher and outfielder
All-state as an outfielder
2016 Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention
PBR State Ranking: 40
PBR Position State Ranking: 4
PG Position National Ranking: 305
PG State Ranking: 65
PG Position State Ranking: 6
High School Coach: Robert Hedrick
Travel Ball Coach: Eddie Jones and Tommy Mayers

Raccuia on Williams: Hunter is another left-hander with very solid pitch ability. A big strong lefty that again has won a bunch of games and pitched in big situations. He should be able to contribute right away.

LUKE BELANGER
5-11 | Infielder | 155 | R/R | Alexandria, Va. | West Potomac | Marucci Stars

NOTES

2016 stats: .310 average, one home run, 25 runs, 15 stolen bases
Second-team all-conference
PBR State Ranking: 77
PBR Position State Ranking: 12
PG Position National Ranking: 521
PG State Ranking: 76
PG Position State Ranking: 11
High School Coach: Jim Sullivan
Travel Ball Coach: Carson Carroll

Raccuia on Belanger: We needed a plus defender and we felt Luke fit us perfectly. He is the type of player that you need to watch play multiple times to see how good of a player he is. He just makes all the plays and can handle the bat.

MARK ENGEL
6-1 | Infielder | 190 | L/R | Beaver Falls, Pa. | Blackhawk | Allegheny Pirates

NOTES

2016 stats: .334 batting average, 14 RBIs, eight doubles, .432 OBP.
2016 WPIAL Player of the Year finalist
Two-time all-section team member
2016 Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention
PBR State Ranking: 34
PBR Position State Ranking: 5
PG Position National Ranking: 333
PG State Ranking: 45
PG Position State Ranking: 7
High School Coach: Bob Amalia
Travel Ball Coach: Fred Alberts

Raccuia on Engel: A talented and athletic left-handed hitting infielder. It was obvious from the start that Mark loved Radford and we felt the same way. He has the versatility to play all positions in the infield.

RYAN BYWATERS
6-4 | Pitcher | 170 | L/R | Smithsburg, Md. | Smithsburg | Mid-Atlantic Red Sox

NOTES

2016 stats: 3-1 record, 1.62 ERA, 48 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched
All-county and all-district first team
PBR National Ranking: 396
PBR State Ranking: 7
PBR Position State Ranking: 4
PG Position National Ranking: 501
PG State Ranking: 14
PG Position State Ranking: 5
High School Coach: Trey Cobb
Travel Ball Coach: Ric Christain

Raccuia on Bywaters: Ryan is a very talented athlete and we feel his best days are yet to come on the mound. He has a huge upside with a quick loose arm, which continues to get better the more he devotes his time to pitching. We can't wait to see what he looks like in a couple years.

WILL HARLESS
6-2 | Catcher | 200 | R/R | Abingdon, Va. | Abingdon | Evoshield Canes

NOTES

2015 stats: .411 average and 30 RBIs
2016 all-conference first team
PG Position National Ranking: 229
PG State Ranking: 46
PG Position State Ranking: 7
High School Coach: Mark Francisco
Travel Ball Coach: Josh Plisko

Raccuia on : Will is a hard nosed and hardworking physical catcher that will make an immediate impact on Radford baseball. We liked everything about his catching ability and can't wait to get have him on campus.

Print Friendly Version