Francis Marion University baseball head coach Art Inabinet has announced the signing of outfielder Vince Santostefano of Chapin and left-handed pitcher Jake Scafa of Point Lookout, N.Y., to national letters of intent.  The pair will enroll this fall and suit up for the Patriots in 2024.

Santostefano, 6-1 and 207 pounds, is a senior at Chapin High School, where he plays for coaches Billy McLeod and Paul Scheno.

He is a three-sport athlete (baseball, football, soccer) and is a member of his school's National Honor Society.

Prior to moving to South Carolina, he attended Northampton Area High School in Pennsylvania.

"Vince is very athletic and versatile, with the ability to play either in the outfielder or in the infield,"  Inabinet said.  "He is a big physical young man that can run and has shown some pop at the plate."

Scafa, 5-8 and 150 pounds, is a senior at Long Beach Senior High School, where he plays for coaches Jason Zizza and Eric Krywe.

He earned All-Conference honors as a junior in 2022 and was named his school's Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore.

"Jake knows how to pitch.  He throws three pitches for strikes, including an impressive breaking ball, and can reach the mid-80s with his fastball.  He has the potential to be a good college hurler as he grows and matures."

Francis Marion opened its 2023 season this past weekend with a roster that includes 14 seniors.

Earlier this year, Inabinet announced the signing of three in-state players: first baseman Eli Henderson of Dillon, shortstop and right-handed pitcher Collin Minshew of Latta, and outfielder Zack Talbert of Beaufort.