Head coach Scott Googins announced five signees for the 2009-10 signing class
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
CINCINNATI – The Xavier baseball team and head coach Scott Googins has announced that five future Musketeers have signed National Letters of Intent to play at XU beginning in the 2009-10 season. Seth Dawes (Chillicothe, Ohio – Chillicothe High School), Vinny Nittoli (Gibsonia, Pa. – Pine-Richland High School), Patrick Paligraf (Fishers, Ind. – Cathedral High School), Jonathan Richard (Versailles, Ohio – Versailles High School) and Seth Willoughby (Columbus, Ohio – Bishop Watterson High School) will be joining the team in the fall of 2009 and will look to make an immediate impact on the squad.
“We are very excited about our recruiting class and feel we have filled our needs,” said Googins following the recent signing period. “These five student-athletes will make an impact on our program and will help build on the success of Xavier baseball.”
Dawes, a 6-3 catcher, is a three-time Silver Bat Award winner and has been named to the SE All-District First Team over the three seasons he has played at Chillicothe High School. In 2007 and 2008, Dawes also earned ALL-SEOAL First Team honors as well. In addition to his athletics accomplishments, Dawes is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned All-League and All-District Academic awards.
“We are very excited about Seth [Dawes] being a part of the Xavier program,” commented Googins. “Seth is a big, strong, athletic catcher who will help bolster our defense. Seth’s father, Steve, played baseball at Xavier and we’re excited to welcome this baseball family back to the program.”
Nittoli, a 6-1 right-handed pitcher and outfielder, played in the Quad A Palomino League during the summers of 2007 and 2008 and helped lead his team to the championship game of the East Zone Palomino Tournament in 2008. He averaged .504 at the plate and posted an ERA of just under 1.00 during the 2008 summer season. Nittoli is a two-sport athlete at Pine-Richland High and has earned two varsity letters as a baseball player as well as earning 2007 All-State First Team accolades as a linebacker on the football team.
“Vinny has the ability to be a frontline pitcher for us,” Googins said. “He’s a competitor and a tough, hard-nosed kid. Vinny has a 90 mph plus fast ball with a good slider which potentially makes him a dominant pitcher.”
Paligraf, a 6-1 infielder, helped lead Cathedral to a state championship in 2006 and a state semifinal finish in 2007. He was named to the All-City Honorable Mention team in 2007 and the Second Team in 2008. Paligraf is also a basketball standout for Cathedral and was named to the All-City Honorable Mention team for the past two years.
“Patrick has great instincts for the game and possesses a strong arm,” Googins commented. “He is a solid line-drive hitter, who should hit for more power as he matures.”
Richard, a 6-3 left-handed pitcher and brother of current Musketeer Zac Richard, is a three-year varsity letter winner for Versailles High School. He helped lead his team to a district runner-up finish his sophomore and junior seasons as well as a regional runner-up finish his freshman year. Richard was named MVP of the Bob Ross Classic in 2008 and was named to the All-League First Team his junior year as well. In addition to baseball, Richard has also earned varsity letters in football (3) and basketball (2).
“Jon is a very talented left-handed pitcher who is only going to get better,” said Googins. “His mental make up and competitiveness is what makes him special. Jon’s family had already made a mark on the Xavier baseball program as he joins his brother, Zac, on the team.”
Willoughby, a 6-1 infielder and right-handed pitcher, was named to the All-Columbus Catholic League (CCL) First Team his sophomore and junior seasons while earning All-District First Team honors his sophomore year as well. Following last season, Willoughby was named his team’s MVP and was named to the American League All-District Team after the summer following his sophomore year. He played for A Green Baseball Club in Ypsilanti, Mich., during the summer of 2008 and his team won the USSSA 18U World Series.
“Seth [Willoughby] provides us with a lot of versatility in the infield and looks to be an impact player,” Googins said. “He runs well, is very athletic and will positively affect our team.”
The Musketeers will open up the 2009 season on February 20 in Raleigh, N.C., taking part in the North Carolina State Tournament. XU will play three games in Raleigh over the three-day tournament. Xavier will open its home schedule with a three-game series against Atlantic 10 foe Saint Louis on March 20-22.
