John Raiola begins his fourth season as a member of the Keene State baseball coaching staff.  Joining the staff as a graduate student assistant in 2009-10, Raiola moved into an assistant coaching role last season and this year has assumed duties as the teams’ pitching coach.

Involved in many facets of the program, Raiola will also serve as the teams’ first base coach.

“John is another pair of eyes for the coaching staff,” said Keene State head baseball coach Ken Howe.  “He’s very knowledgeable and has stepped right in and been a big help.”

After pitching for head coach Jim Foster at the University of Rhode Island, Raiola began his coaching career at the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico.  Raiola spent the 2009 summer with the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) Champion Newport Gulls, working primarily with outfielders and pitchers. 

Most recently, Raiola has past two summers; Raiola has been on the coaching staff of the NECBL Keene Swamp Bats.

Raiola graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2008 with a degree in journalism.  The Newport, R.I. native currently resides in Keene and is pursuing a degree in school counseling at Keene State.