Gaston College pitcher commits to Radford

   Gaston College's David Sande has committed to sign a baseball scholarship with NCAA Division I school Radford University.

   A right-handed pitcher, David Sande becomes the seventh Rhinos' player to commit to a four-year college on the current team.

   "We're extremely happy and excited for him," Gaston College coach Shohn Doty said of David Sande. "He's been with us for two years and is a big part of what we're doing and has gotten better and better. I'm happy he'll get a chance to play that highest level of college.
   "It's a tribute to what we're trying to do here. We take a lot of pride in development and we're happy with what he's done and how much he's improved."

   Last November, pitcher J.D. Everett (UNC Wilmington), first baseman Preston Hall (Gardner-Webb), outfielder Wade Kelly (Gardner-Webb), pitcher Jaxson Mangum (Lenoir-Rhyne), pitcher Nolan Straniero (Elon) and shortstop Enrique Wood (North Carolina A&T) signed with four-year schools.

   David Sande also visited NCAA Division II Barton before choosing Radford, which is in the Big South Conference.

   "Radford takes a lot of pride in baseball," he said. "Their facilities are top-tier, their coaches are top-tier and I just think it's a good place for me."

   Since his brother Ryan Sande pitched for the Highlanders for five seasons from 2016 to 2020 highlighted by a 2017 Big South Conference title and NCAA tournament, David Sande has already established a goal for himself.

   "He was there when they won the Big South," David Sande said of his brother's 2017 team. "And that's my goal when I get there."

   For Gaston College, David Sande is 3-0 with a 3.05 ERA in 21 appearances (2 starts) with 39 strikeouts in 38 1-3 innings, including a 0-0 record and 0.75 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 innings so far this season.

   He credits his teammates and coaches at Gaston College for helping him improve as a player and college prospect.

   "I couldn't have done it without the pitching staff and all the support we have here," said David Sande, a 2021 graduate of Raleigh's Leesville Road High School. "They showed me exercises to do pre- and post-game. They show me what I'm doing wrong and I've tried to fix it. It's made me a lot better than I once was."