Joey Raccuia, a freshman baseball player at Radford University and the son of former Radford head baseball coach Joe Raccuia, has died following a single-vehicle wreck in Radford, Virginia. He was 19 years old.
The accident occurred at around 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, on East Main Street, not far from the university’s baseball stadium, according to The Roanoke Times. First responders provided medical assistance at the scene, but Joey was pronounced dead at the scene.
The wreck remains under investigation, and police are asking anyone with information to call Capt. J.L. Slaughter at 540-267-3711.
The Radford Baseball Team Shares Emotional Tribute
The Radford Highlanders baseball team confirmed Joey’s death in an Instagram post on February 26, with a message that left little doubt about the young player’s impact on the program.
“We are heartbroken to share news of the passing of Joey Raccuia. Joey’s impact on our team, this community and all the lives he touched went far beyond the playing field, and we miss him deeply,” the team wrote.
The university followed with its own statement to the broader Radford community, per WDBJ.
“Dear Highlander Family, It is with deep sadness that I share news of the death of Joey Raccuia, a first-year student at Radford. We are heartbroken by his passing yesterday and extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the university wrote.
Joey Raccuia came to Radford from PDG Academy and was in his first year with the Highlanders. Through the early weeks of the season, he had played in two of the team’s seven games, both as a second baseman.
He was also listed as a pitcher, according to his bio on the team’s official website, suggesting he had the versatility to contribute in multiple roles as his college career developed.
Radford is 5-2 this season and is set to host Bryant in a three-game series this weekend. Players are wearing a patch on their hats and helmets that reads “JR 30,” in reference to his number.
His Father Built Radford Baseball Into a Powerhouse
Joey’s ties to the university ran far deeper than most freshmen on a college roster.
His father, Joe Raccuia, was a Radford graduate and former team captain in 1995, a season that saw the team win a school record 30 wins, per Radford University.
Joe returned to his alma mater in 1996 as an assistant coach, and in 2007, he was named the team’s fifth head coach.
Over 12 seasons between 2008 and 2019, Joe Raccuia transformed the Highlanders into one of the Big South Conference’s most competitive programs. He led the team to two Big South Tournament Championships and NCAA Tournament berths in 2015 and 2017.
The 2015 season was especially remarkable: Joe Raccuia led the Highlanders to a record 45 wins. The team won their first Big South regular season and tournament championships that year and advanced to the NCAA regional round for the first time in program history.
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Two years later, the team captured another Big South championship and a second NCAA Tournament berth.
Joe Raccuia also produced 13 MLB Draft Picks during his tenure, including the Big South’s only first-rounder in Eddie Butler in 2012.
The elder Raccuia now works for the Kansas City Royals in scouting and player development.