Crosby, who graduated in 2003 from LaQuinta High School in Cypress, Calif., served on a mission in Tampa, Fla., before playing as a freshman at BYU in 2006.

“We are excited that Blake has chosen to come to Sacramento State to finish his collegiate career,” Smith said. “He is going to be a significant addition to our program.”

The Los Alamitos, Calif., native will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Hornets. He hit .322 in 48 games for the Cougars with 49 hits, 23 RBIs, 17 runs, nine doubles and a .960 fielding percentage at shortstop and third base.

Crosby, the younger brother of the Oakland A’s Bobby Crosby, also participated in the Team USA Trials. His father, Ed, was a second round draft pick and former Oakland A’s scout, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1970-73), Cincinnati Reds (1973), and Cleveland Indians (1974-76).

Crosby was the toughest player to strike out in the Mountain West Conference, while batting .348 with 24 hits, 13 RBIs, six doubles, a .435 slugging percentage and a .400 on-base percentage against league competition.

At LaQuinta, Crosby was the starting shortstop for four years, batting .406 his senior season and leading the team to the 2003 Southern California Championship. He was named first team all-league as a freshman, junior and senior, and first team All-CIF as a junior and senior.

Sacramento State 2007 Recruiting Class

Name Pos. Hometown/Previous School

Tyler Axelrod RHP Hayward, Calif./Chabot JC

Ryan Blair OF Visalia, Calif./College of Sequoias

Brian Boyd OF Los Banos, Calif./Modesto JC

Blake Crosby INF Cypress, Calif./LaQuinta HS

Eric Diaz RHP Hollister, Calif./Hartnell JC

Jayson Jennings INF Munford, Tenn./Brighton HS

Paul Jinkens RHP Wheatland, Calif./Wheatland HS

Travis Kirkman C Rocklin, Calif./Sierra JC

Alvaro Orosco RHP San Bruno, Calif./Skyline CC

Ryan Stavert RHP Livermore, Calif./Chabot JC

Tim Wheeler INF/OF Sacramento, Calif./El Camino HS