SAN JOSE, Calif. – Mitch Ravizza, a local top-hitting shortstop and two-sport athlete from Willow Glen High School in San Jose signed a National Letter-of-Intent to enroll at San Jose State for the 2012 fall semester and become a member of the San Jose State baseball team. Sam Piraro, San Jose State’s head coach, made the announcement.

Ravizza, a 2011 first team all-Mount Hamilton League and second team all-Central Coast Section player, is a three-year letterwinner and team captain currently playing his senior season at Willow Glen.

He was part of a Willow Glen team that went 50-8 from 2010 to 2011, winning two league titles and reaching the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs in back-to-back years.

“When you get an athlete, who’s coachable, and has leadership ability, it’s a win-win situation, so we’re really fortunate to have a guy like Mitch,” said Piraro, now in his 25th season as head coach of the Spartans. “Not only is he an outstanding athlete, but he has leadership qualities that are very rare in today’s culture. We think that a guy like that would be a great addition to San Jose State baseball. Mitch is that guy.”

Ravizza had an outstanding junior year in 2011, batting .394 with 30 RBIs. He scored 27 runs, had seven doubles and one homerun while stealing seven bases. He struck out only 14 times in 105 at-bats.

“He’s really been swinging the bat well,” said Piraro of Ravizza’s growth. “I’ve seen his swing evolve over the last two years. He’s coachable, which is a whole other thing, too. When he was in my camp, I remember suggestions we made to him and he’s actually done it, which is rare in itself, too.”

During the fall, Ravizza kept himself busy with a successful playing career as quarterback at Willow Glen High. Over his final two seasons, Ravizza threw for 5,468 yards and 54 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,219 yards and an additional 36 TDs. He was named a second-team all-state QB in 2010 after helping lead the Rams to a CCS Division II championship. Willow Glen also won a Santa Teresa League title that season.

This fall, Ravizza will join right-hander Ross Slaney of Homestead High School in Cupertino, right-hander Daniel Chavez from the College of San Mateo and left-hander Gary Acuna from Alhambra (Calif.) High School, who are three starting pitchers, as well as infielders Matthew Cole from Grants Pass (Ore.) High School and Willy Reel, who played his freshman season at the University of Washington, and catcher Dane Lund from Mt. Hood (Ore.) Community College as signees for San Jose State.