Baseball Signs Five to National Letters of Intent

12/7/05 -- Long Island University baseball coach Don Maines announced Wednesday the signings of five players for the 2007 season: Gregory DeSantis (Bridgewater, N.J.), Jesse Johnson (Dingman’s Ferry, Pa.), James Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Christopher Kievit (Wayne, N.J.), and Gerard Tingos (Staten Island, N.Y.).

DeSantis is an accomplished switch-hitting middle infielder and has been a member of the varsity team for the last three seasons at Immaculata HS in New Jersey under head coach Tom Gambino. The 6-2 standout will play his senior season for Bridgewater Raritan HS (NJ). DeSantis was a part of the inaugural New Jersey Super 17 squad and showcased his talent at Dave Gallagher's Best In Class Showcase invitational in Edison, N.J. and the Northeast Prospects Showcase in Wareham, Mass. this fall. DeSantis’ two older sisters, Alaina and Athena, played collegiate softball at Monmouth and Rutgers, respectively.

Johnson has racked up some impressive numbers in his high school career at Delaware Valley Regional HS in Pennsylvania. The 6-2 lefty has compiled a 21-4 record and a 2.27 ERA. As a junior, he was 7-0 with a 2.41ERA with 44 K's in 37 innings. His highlight performance came in the Lackawanna (Pa.) Division 1 Conference Championship, where he tossed a one-hitter against West Scranton to lead Delaware Valley to the title. Johnson has played the last two summers with the Moosic Mets under Pennsylvania coaching legend Harry Nelson. This past summer, the southpaw struck out 20 batters en route to a complete-game victory for the Delaware Valley American Legion team. The Dingman’s Ferry, Pa. native is also a strong student, maintaining a 3.2 GPA in the classroom.

A talented first baseman/pitcher, Jones led Telecommunications HS to the Brooklyn West Division Championship and a berth into the PSAL semifinals. Jones hit .531 on the season with a .641 on-base percentage. He was equally impressive as a hurler, where he served as the team's closer and went 2-0 with a 0.77 ERA. The southpaw struck out 20 batters in 18.1 innings, allowing only four free passes.

Kievit is a four-year starter at catcher for Don Bosco Prep and head coach Leon Matthews. The backstop had an impressive 2005 campaign, leading his squad to a No. 6 ranking in the state of New Jersey. Kievit hit .463 with four HR's and 36 RBI's and was named team MVP. The 5-11 junior was also named to the All-North N.J. first team, All-Bergen County second team and was a Star-Ledger All State Group 3 selection.

Tingos was one of the Catholic High School Athletic Association's top offensive players for LIU alum Nick Doscher's Moore Catholic HS squad last season as a junior. The 5-10 second baseman hit .424 and was among the division leaders in nearly every offensive category. He led all CHSAA players with 21 RBI and tied for the league lead in home runs (3). Also an ace on the mound, Tingos went 6-0 with a 1.86 earned run average, leading the Mavericks to the CHSAA City Championship. He was a Daily News, NY Newsday and a Staten Island Advance All-Star last season.

The Blackbirds begin their 2006 season in Savannah, Ga. for a trio of games Feb. 17-19.