FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood head coach Ryan Mau announced the signing of eight recruits Wednesday following the early signing period.
 
"We are very excited about this year's signing class as there is a ton of proven talent throughout," Mau said. "Many players are expected to step in immediately and impact our program upon their arrival."
 
The class, Mau's fourth group of early signees, is highlighted by five players from Virginia. Right-handed pitcher Gage Williams, outfielder Michael Peterson, left-handed pitcher Andrew Melnyk, right-handed pitcher Seth Mayberry, and infielder Hunter Gilliam — a native of Farmville — are the five Commonwealth players added to Mau's roster. Joining the Virginia signees are Pennsylvania natives Matthew Hayes and Cullan Wadsworth, plus New Jersey native Drayven Kowalski.
 
Overall, the eight-player class represents three states with six players ranked inside the top-50 in their state and three inside the top-500 rankings nationally, according to either Prep Baseball Report or Perfect Game.
 
"Our recruiting coordinator, Daniel Wood, did an excellent job in leading our recruiting efforts throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic Region," Mau said. "Not only does this class possess the athletic skill set to continue to elevate our baseball program, but it is also made up of high quality character young men who will be great representatives for Longwood University."
 
Hunter Gilliam | IF | Farmville, Va. | The Fuqua School (Coach John Adams)
A local product, Gilliam is a 6-2, 210-pound infielder, who has found both individual and team success in his prep career. Gilliam plays travel ball with RISE Baseball, coached by Nick Windom.
 
Under head coach John Adams at The Fuqua School, Gilliam was an instrumental part of a team that made a run to the 2017 VISSA Baseball State Championship Game, finishing as state runner-ups.
 
Gilliam is ranked number 29 in the state by Prep Baseball Report and is inside the top 1000 players nationally in his class, according to Perfect Game.
 
Matthew Hayes | 1B | Greenfield Township, Pa. | Lakeland High School (Coach Larry Pancini)
Hayes, a 6-3, 210-pound first baseman, has been an impact player in his prep career. Hayes plays on the Baseball U PA travel ball team, coached by Mike Guy.
 
At Lakeland High School, under the guidance of Larry Pancini, Hayes was selected to an all-star team as a utility player during his freshman season. As a sophomore and junior, Hayes was named to the all-region teams each season.
 
In his class Hayes is one of the top 1000 players nationally, according to Perfect Game, and is the number one first baseman in Pennsylvania, according to Prep Baseball Report.
 
Drayven Kowalski | C | Yardville, N.J. | Steinert Hamilton East High School
(Coach Brian Giallella)
Kowalski is a switch-hitting catcher, listed at 6', 175 pounds, and has been named an Under Armour Preseason All-American. Kowalski has competed at a number of Perfect Game showcases as an individual and finished in the top 10 in arm strength for multiple events.
 
Kowalski plays his high school baseball at Steinert Hamilton East High School under the guidance of coach Brian Giallella.
 
Kowalski enters his senior season ranked as one of the top 1000 players in the nation according to Perfect Game.
 
Seth Mayberry | RHP | Dinwiddie, Va. | Dinwiddie High School (Coach Jason Burton)
Mayberry, a 6-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, has racked up a number of accolades in his high school career. Mayberry is ranked number 21 in the state of Virginia by Prep Baseball Report and has been named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament team twice, most recently at the 2017 WWBA 17U National Championship in July. Mayberry plays his travel ball with the Richmond Braves under Eddie Jones.
 
At Dinwiddie High School under coach Jason Burton, Mayberry has raked in a pair of all-conference selections, including being named 2017 First Team All-Conference 20 as a junior, being named to the second team all-region, and first team academic all-conference.
 
Mayberry was named a Perfect Game 2017 Underclass All-American Honorable Mention and is pegged as one of the top 1000 players in the nation by Perfect Game. Mayberry is the number 21 player in Virginia according to Prep Baseball Report.
 
Andrew Melnyk | LHP | Virginia Beach, Va. | Kellam High School (Coach St. Clair Jones)
Melnyk is a 6-6, 192-pound left-handed pitcher who has earned a pair of Perfect Game All-Tournament selections. Melnyk was named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament team at the 2017 WWBA 17U National Championship in Cartersville, Ga. Melnyk is on the Old Dominion Hitters travel ball team, coached by Adam Wisniewski.
 
At Kellam High School, under the guidance of St. Clair Jones, Melnyk has earned first team all-conference honors, been named to the All-Tidewater Second Team, and has also made the 6A All-South Region Second Team.
 
Melnyk is ranked inside the top 1000 nationally by Perfect Game.
 
Michael Peterson | OF | Prince George, Va. | Prince George High School (Coach Mickey Roberts)
Peterson is a 5-10, 160-pound outfielder who has found both team and individual success on the field. Peterson has picked up three all-tournament team selections at Perfect Game tournaments, most recently at the 2017 WWBA World Championship, October 2017. Peterson plays his travel ball with the Virginia Cardinals under head coach Rich Graham.
 
At Prince George High School, coached by Longwood baseball alum Mickey Roberts, Peterson was part of a team that advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history, making a run to the Virginia 5A tournament semifinal.
 
Peterson is ranked number 10 in The Commonwealth by Perfect Game, which also has him pegged inside the top 500 nationally.
 
Cullan Wadsworth | OF | Allentown, Pa. | Parkland High School
(Coach Kurt Webber)
Wadsworth is a 5-11, 188-pound senior who has picked up six Perfect Game All-Tournament Selections. Wadsworth has also picked up a pair of Perfect Game/Rawlings All-American Honorable Mention selections for 2016 and 2017. Wadsworth plays his travel ball with the East Coast Sandhogs for head coach Paul McGloin.
 
Under the guidance of coach Kurt Webber at Parkland High School, Wadsworth was named to the 2017 East Penn Conference First Team as an outfielder and was also a second team all-area selection by the Morning Call.
 
Wadsworth is ranked inside the top 500 players in his class by Perfect Game and the publication has him as the number 27 player in the state of Pennsylvania.
 
Gage Williams | RHP | Suffolk, Va. | Nansemond River High School (Coach Mark Stuffel)
Williams is a 6-4, 195-pound high school senior who is an accomplished player, earning four different Perfect Game All-Tournament Team selections, including at the WWBA 17U National Championship in Cartersville, Ga., summer 2017. Williams competes in travel ball with the Old Dominion Hitters, coached by Tim Druzgala.
 
Under head coach Mark Stuffel at Nansemond River High School, Williams was a part of a team that won the 2016 Group 5A state championship. Williams started the championship game on the mound, tossing 5.1 innings in the championship-clinching victory.
 
Williams is ranked inside the top 500 players across the nation in this recruiting class by Perfect Game, which also has him ranked as the 27th player in the state of Virginia. Prep Baseball Report has Williams pegged as the 19th-ranked player in the state.
 
#GoWood