This is a story that was posted on the website www.sebaseball.com recently previewing the Highlanders this season. SEbaseball is a website dedicated to covering college baseball.
Searching for a candidate for most improved squad? Look towards Radford, Virginia where RU has a different look. There is a new coaching staff, an administrative commitment, and excitement surrounding the program. The Highlanders have a pair of accomplished hitters in Alex Gregory and Nate Toth and a high-ceiling ace in Eric Evans.
"I believe most of the players have embraced the coaching staff's excitement," said Radford head coach Joe Raccuia. "This program needs energy and the new staff definitely brings that to the table.
"(Pitching) is once again our biggest question mark going into the year," said Raccuia. "The key to this staff is throwing strikes. They believed in the new system Brian Anderson implemented and made huge strides this fall."
"(Offensively) we have a very good mix of speed and power," continued Raccuia. "I really like our lineup offensively. Having returners like (Alex) Gregory and (Ben) Toth will give us a chance to produce runs. Defensively we are a work in progress. The walks and errors are the two biggest factors that will determine our fate."
"Challenging is the best way to describe (our schedule)," Raccuia said.
"A very difficult mid-week schedule and lots of traveling early."
"It is going to take a few years," said a college coach. "But there is no doubt they will get it done. Joe does a great job. He is a great competitor who will not be outworked. They are another school that has made a significant increase in their commitment to
baseball."
Offense
Seven position starters return for the Highlanders. Newcomer Mario Duarte (St. Pete CC) will be the lone newcomer to crack the starting lineup in centerfield. With all the speed at the top and bottom of the lineup, first baseman Alex Gregory (.430/5/33) and catcher Nate Toth (.277/2/17) will be asked to drive in a majority of the runs.Raccuia plans on utilizing the team speed by making things happen on the offensive end. The key table setters will be lead by Ben Toth, Will Naylor and Raphael Turner.
Pitching
The pitching staff will be lead by senior lefthander Eric Evans (0-4/6.93). J.B. Blixt (7 1/3 IP) and Adam Hoyt (1-7/6.38)will anchor the rest of the weekend on Saturday and Sunday. The big question with this staff is depth and who will take hold of the midweek roles. Kyle Starr (2-6/5.91) and Will Naylor (3-6/6.18) will be key contributors while Abram Williams and Josh Hammonds (1-1/4.38) will pitch a great deal from in late innings.
Schedule
The Highlanders' key non-conference games include Evansville, Virginia, Virginia Tech, UNC Charlotte, Old Dominion, James Madison, and George Mason.
Inside the Big South, Radford hosts Charleston Southern, Liberty, UNC-Ashville, and Coastal Carolina. Radford travels to VMI, High Point, and Winthrop.
What to watch for?
Raccuia, recently the Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Alabama, brings a lot of excitement into the Radford program. He lead Marist College to a NCAA Regional in 2005 in his second year as head coach. The rest of the coaching staff is rounded up by Brian Anderson and Allen Rice ... Much of the success for this upcoming year will fall on first baseman Alex Gregory and catcher Nate Toth. Both of these returners have been named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List. With these two hitters in the middle of the lineup, it is imperative that the one and two hole hitters get on base.
Strengths: Experience; team speed; excitement from coaching staff
Weaknesses: Pitching depth; Power
Final Analysis
Radford should be much improved after winning just ten games a year ago. The administration is committed and Raccuia will build the foundation for future success.
Go Highlanders!!!
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