RADFORD, Va. – An incoming class of five players: right-handed pitchers Michael Costello (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) and Tyler Costello (South Riding, Va./Paul VI), shortstop Cam Hodge (Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley), outfielder Blake Sipe (Weyers Cave, Va./Fort Defiance) and first baseman Jake Taylor (Ellicott City, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) have signed letters of intent to join the Radford baseball program for the 2011 season.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank these student athletes for choosing Radford and believing in both our university and baseball program,” head coach Joe Raccuia says.  “[Assistant coaches] Brian Anderson and Allen Rice have done another remarkable job of putting this class together.  

“It was a another great day for Radford baseball.”

The 2011 class is the third recruiting group for Raccuia, who is entering his third season with the Highlanders.

“We set out to find a couple front line arms and we definitely did this in acquiring Tyler and Michael,” Raccuia says.  “Our program needed a big bat with power potential and we know Jake has the ability to fill that need.  Lastly, we needed to continue to bring in athletes who had skill sets that fit into what we believe, and Blake and Cam were no-brainers for us.  

2011 RADFORD BASEBALL SIGNING CLASS

Michael Costello – RHP – R/R - 6-4, 205

Raccuia's take: “Michael is a big, strong right-hander with a fastball from the upper 80s to low 90s.  He's shown the makings of a plus slider as well.  Michael has the type of power arm that should help him develop into a front-line pitcher for us.”

-    Coached by Brian McCarthy at Stonewall Jackson
-    First Team All-Cedar Run District pitcher in 2009; second team all-district as a hitter
-    Holds Stonewall Jackson's single-season records for ERA (2.42), strikeouts (73), and home runs (7)
-    Spent the summer of 2009 with the Mid Atlantic Mets team (coached by Dan Gitzen)
-    Ranked 17th among high school players by Virginia Preps

Costello's take: “Radford is the best fit for me, it has my major as well as a rising baseball program that has scouted me for what feels like years. When it came down to decision time my parents told me, 'There is something to be said for them to make an offer early and they must really want you to go there.' I took that into account as well and after attending many camps on campus, I made my decision to play college baseball at Radford University.


Tyler Costello – RHP – R/R – 6-1, 180

Raccuia's take: “Tyler is a huge get for us.  He has the ability to throw 90-plus and with his above-average secondary pitches, he is another front-line arm for us in the near future.”

-    Coached by Billy Emerson at Paul VI
-    Brother of Radford sophomore transfer outfielder Zach Costello
-    Member of back-to-back VISAA Division I state championship teams ('08, '09)
-    Holds Paul VI's school record for strikeouts, and is the program's only pitcher ever to throw a perfect game
-    Honorable Mention All-Met, second team all-state and Third Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) in 2009
-    Baseball Factory Preseason All-American in 2009
-    Played for Hurricanes summer/fall team coached by Jeff Petty in '08 and '09

Costello's take: “I chose Radford because I believe it's one of the best up and coming programs in the country, and I think I have a great chance to win a championship here.  I have a great relationship with the coaches of this program and I look forward to working hard for them and for the next four years of my life.”


Cam Hodge – SS – R/R – 6-0, 150

Raccuia's take: “Cam fits our mold here at Radford perfectly.  He's a very athletic middle infielder who runs well above average.  His ability with his legs should prove to be a great addition to our style of play.”

-    Coached by Jason Taylor at Hidden Valley
-    Two-sport athlete (baseball and cross country) for the Titans
-    Tied Radford sophomore second baseman Brett Mollenhauer's Hidden Valley record for stolen bases in a season (14) in 2008
-    Two-time Honorable Mention All-River Ridge District shortstop ('08, '09)
-    Played for the Roanoke Badgers summer/fall team in 2009
-    Led his American Legion team in batting average, stolen bases, runs and fielding percentage in 2008

Hodge's take: “I knew Radford was a good fit for me upon visiting with coach Raccuia and his staff in early July.  I was intrigued by coach Raccuia's interest in middle infielders and his development of sound players through his years at Alabama, Marist and Radford.  Radford will also present me with challenges that will help me broaden and develop academically, and the baseball program is an up-and-coming program that I'm very excited about being a part of.”



Blake Sipe – OF – L/L – 5-9, 165

Raccuia's take: “You win championships with baseball players and that's what we've seen in Blake.  He is a tough, hard-nosed baseball player that will bring foot speed, defense, and offense to the field for us every day.”

-    Coached by Vic Spotts at Fort Defiance
-    Was the 2009 Southern Valley District batting champion, hitting .487 for Fort Defiance
-    High school teammate of Radford freshman catcher Daniel Wright
-    All-district and all-region first team outfielder, also named second team all-state
-    Named to the 2009 Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg) all-area team
-    Played for the West team at the 2009 Coventry Commonwealth Games
-    Played for Hurricanes summer/fall team coached by Jeff Petty in '08 and '09

Sipe's take: “Radford has a bright and competitive future in baseball and I wanted to be a part of the program's success. The university is also a great fit academically for me to be a successful student athlete.”



Jake Taylor – 1B – R/R – 6-4, 230

Raccuia's take: “We set out to find a right-handed hitter with power and Jake fit what we were looking for.  He has the ability to put up some serious numbers for us here at Radford.”

-    Coached by John McGowan at Our Lady of Good Counsel
-    Varsity letterman in both football and baseball for Our Lady of Good Counsel
-    First Team All-WCAC and First Team All-Montgomery County (Md.) in 2009
-    Invited to the Under Armour Preseason All-American Games in 2008 and '09
-    Spent the summer of 2009 with the Columbia Reds of the Maryland Collegiate Baseball League
-    Made the Baseballclearinghouse.net/Mid-Atlantic State-by-State Follow list, and the top player list for the ESPN Greater DC area in 2009

Taylor's take: “I have been on a lot of college campuses the past few years, and I felt comfortable as I toured Radford University, knowing immediately that I could see myself on campus.  I was also looking for a place that I could play baseball and was impressed with the coaching staff and the vision for the baseball team.”