NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Cal State Northridge baseball head coach Matt Curtis announced the signing of eight student-athletes who will join the program in the 2011 fall semester.

"I am really proud of the early signing class that we have put together," said Curtis, who will be entering his first year as head coach of the Matadors in 2011. "I am confident this group will be the foundation for the type of program we want to build here at Cal State Northridge."

Infielder Aaron Ashton, left-handed pitcher Jerry Keel, right-handed pitchers Jordan Johnson and Danny Keller, catcher Alexis Mercado, outfielder Travis Mitchell, second baseman Ryan Raslowsky, and right-handed pitcher Gabe Saquilon comprise the inaugural recruiting class under coach Curtis and his assistants.

All eight student-athletes are incoming freshman from California.

"Coach Larkin and Coach Leary worked extremely hard in a short period of time to evaluate and recruit the arms and athletes that we need to compete, and win, in the Big West Conference," said Curtis.

Cal State Northridge Baseball's 2011 Recruiting Class

Danny Keller
Newbury Park, Calif. (Newbury Park HS)
RHP - 6-5, 200 - R/R

• Prepped at Newbury Park High School under head coach Matt Goldfield
• Earned Most Valuable Player accolades as a freshman pitcher in 2008
• Invited to participate with the Team USA Northern California squad in 2009
• Member of the Brewers Elite Scout Team in 2009 and 2010
• Received Marmonte League Honorable Mention in 2010
• Competed in the 2010 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif.
• Participated in the Professional Baseball Scouts of Southern California All-Star Game in 2010
• Older brother Steven is currently on the Northridge baseball roster as one of the team's catchers
• Earned two wins, three saves, batted .328, hit one home run, and drove in eight runs in 2010

Jerry Keel
Palmdale, Calif. (Palmdale HS)
LHP - 6-6, 240 - L/L

• Prepped at Palmdale High School under head coach Craig Mesler
• Named the top starter for the second consecutive season
• Earned Palmdale High School Pitcher of the Year in his sophomore and junior seasons
• Received Golden League Pitcher of the Year accolades in 2010
• Selected to the All-Golden League First Team, All-Antelope Valley First Team, and Southern Section All-CIF Team in 2010
• Finished his junior season with a league-leading 1.47 ERA and 69 strikeouts
• Pitched for the Urban Youth Academy All Star team in their U.S.-Japan High School Federation All-Stars Series
• Competed in the 2010 Professional Baseball Scouts of Southern California All-Star Game
• Selected to the All-Golden League Second Team as a sophomore

Jordan Johnson
Elk Grove, Calif. (Franklin HS)
RHP - 6-3, 170 - R/R

• Prepped at Franklin High School under head coach Mike Cody
• Named to the Delta Valley Conference First Team in his junior season
• Led his baseball team in strikeout average, fanning 38 batters in his 26.2 innings pitched
• His skill set and versatility earned him a spot in the starting lineup at seven different positions
• Selected to tryout for Team USA 2011
• Competed for Pro Player Baseball, Trosky Baseball, and the Colorado Rockies scout team this past summer. In his combined 52 innings pitched, Johnson struckout 101 batters and allowed only nine earned runs
• Fastest clocked pitch registered at 93 MPH
• Hit .284, scored 22 runs, drove in 25 batters, and stole three bases in 2010 

Gabe Saquilon
San Diego, Calif. (Horizon Christian Academy)
RHP - 6-0, 175 - R/R

• Prepped at Horizon Christian Academy under head coach Clarence Black
• Named to the All-Coastal League First Team in 2010
• Selected to the 2010 San Diego All-Academic Team
• Awarded the ACSI Distinguished Christian High School Student Award in recognition of his leadership skills and attributes utilized in an athletic environment
• Earned All-Coastal League Second Team honors in 2009
• Competed for the San Diego Stars this past summer and was also a member of the Seattle Mariners Scout Team
• Participated in the 2010 Junior Olympics and 2010 Arizona Senior Classic
• Held his opposition to an on-base percentage of .261 and struckout 47 batters in his 38.1 innings thrown in 2010. Also finished his junior season with a .385 batting average, .487 on-base percentage, and .785 slugging percentage

Alexis Mercado
Chula Vista, Calif. (Otay Ranch HS)
C - 6-3, 205 - R/R

• Prepped at Otay Ranch High School under head coach Bob McCurdy
• Earned All-Mesa League First Team Honors in 2010
• Named to the All-Mesa League Second Team in 2009
• Competed for the So Cal Rays Scout Team this past summer
• Also participated in the So Cal Scout League All-Star Game
• Finished the 2010 season with a .488 batting average and 37 RBIs 

Aaron Ashton
Whittier, Calif. (La Serna HS)
INF - 6-3, 210 - L/R

• Prepped at La Serna High School under head coach Anthony Gonzales, Jr.
• Named to the All-Area First Team in 2009 and 2010
• Also earned All-League First Team recognition the last two consecutive seasons
• Received Offensive Player of the Year honors as voted upon by his teammates
• Batted .403 with six home runs and 29 RBIs last season
• Voted team Rookie of the Year in 2009
• Helped the Lancers finish the 2009 season as Del Rio League Champions
• Finished the 2009 season with a .392 batting average, four home runs and 28 RBIs
• Earned two wins, three saves, batted .328, hit one home run, and drove in eight runs in 2008

Travis Mitchell
Riverside, Calif. (Martin Luther King HS)
OF - 5-9, 170 - L/R

• Prepped at Martin Luther King High School under head coach Ken Scott
• Received the Riverside Martin Luther King Offensive Player of the Year award last season
• Earned Big VIII All-League honors
• Batted .435 against league opponents in 2010
• Named to the All-Tournament Team for his efforts during the 2010 Anaheim Lions Tournament
• Invited to participate in the Pro Baseball Scouts of Southern California Jesse Flores Memorial All-Star Game as a member of the North squad

Ryan Raslowski
Mission Viejo, Calif. (Mission Viejo HS)
2B - 5-9, 160 - R/R

• Prepped at Mission Viejo High School under head coach Chris Ashback
• Earned Most Valuable Player accolades as a freshman pitcher in 2008
• Earned All-South Coast League Most Valuable Player accolades in 2010
• Also received Baseball Athlete of the Week recognition from the South Coast League
• Led the Diablos in four different categories with his 30 RBIs, 15 sacrifice hits, 14 stolen bases, and two triples
• Like his future Matador teammate Travis Mitchell, Raslowski was also named to the Anaheim Lions All-Tournament Team this past season
• Started all 28 games he played in during the 2010 season and finished with a .382 batting average and .421 on-base percentage