Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm baseball program is pleased to announce the signing of Jake Scarlato of Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati to a national letter of intent to play baseball for the school, beginning in the fall. 

Scarlato, a 5'10' shortstop, batted .368 (29-for-79) this summer for the Yeager-Benson American Legion Post 199 team with 16 RBI's, 27 runs scored and 12 stolen bases as a lead-off batter.   His Oak Hills team tied for second in the Greater Miami Conference and claimed a sectional championship.

His American Legion team will play in the state tournament next week.

"I am very excited," Scarlato said at his signing. "Rio Grande has the resources I need to get my degree and be successful in baseball. I know the program has been very successful."

"I love the campus and the people are friendly and sociable," he added.

Rio Grande head coach Brad Warnimont talks about his newest recruit. "Jake is a scrappy, high-energy guy that will give us a quality glove up the middle." 

Scarlato discussed his strengths as a player and where he needs to improve as he embarks on his college career. "I would say that speed and arm strength are my best assets," he said. "I always need to work on hitting, everyone does."

The goal that Scarlato has set for himself is to be a part of a successful team. "I want to win," he said. "Anything I can do to help the team succeed." 

In addition to his baseball skills, Scarlato has proven to be a success in the classroom as well. He is an honor roll student and graduated with high honors. 

He plans to major in Special Education, which is in line with his background. Scarlato has been a part of what is called the Partners Club, in which he worked with special education students. He participated in the "Lose the Training Wheels Foundation" which helped special education students learn to ride bikes. 

Jake is the son of Vince and Amy Scarlato of Cincinnati.

Scarlato joins Adena High School's Andrew Cottrill, Cameron Norman of Lancaster High School and Loren Huffman of Raceland-Worthington High School in Raceland, Ky. as the current crop of recruits in the 2010-11 RedStorm baseball recruiting class. 

Rio Grande is coming off a record breaking 48-13 season in 2010 in which they appeared in the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history. Rio finished second in the Mid-South Conference during the regular season with a 20-7 mark. The RedStorm were champions of the MSC Tournament.