TUSTIN, Calif. --- Rawley Hughes is ready for a new start with Biola baseball after traveling a long road since graduating Foothill High School in 2012. The catcher with a big bat comes to the Eagles following two injury-riddled years at other colleges.
 
Hughes was recruited to St. Mary's College (NCAA DI) immediately out of high school, but he did not play at all for the Gaels in the 2013 season because of injuries. He moved from SMC to Irvine Valley College to give it another go last season, but he again could not appear in any games.
 
Head Coach Jay Sullenger is excited to bring Hughes aboard and thinks he can add a lot to the program, both behind the plate and with the bat.
 
"Rawley will compete for the starting catching spot with the strength of what he brings behind the plate, as well as what he brings with the stick," said Sullenger. "He is a mature kid with a desire to grow as a man of God and see how good he can be on the baseball field."


Hughes comes to Biola accepting ongoing personal and physical transformation. He quotes Job 1:21 when speaking about what God has done in his life over the past two years of physical challenges and his excitement to return to the diamond.
 
"God has done a lot of work on me the past few years. He took a lot away from me, but the things he took from me where things I needed to be rid of," said Hughes. "In all that loss, I gained so much more in knowledge and in relationship with him. When the doors opened to play baseball here, God directed me here with undeniable clarity."
 
Prior to his time spent at St. Mary's and IVC, Hughes was a star at Foothill High School. He was named All-Century League in 2011 and also earned a spot at the CBCA North-South Showcase game. He also earned Scholar-Athlete recognition three times.
 
He is attending classes and Biola now and majors in business administration. He will be well suited in the classroom, armed as an eight-time Presidential Honor Roll member in high school. He was also named to the Dean's List at St. Mary's in 2012.