Pierce’s Raba Signs Letter With CSUN : College baseball: Pitcher’s teammates Smith, Eby commit to Long Beach and Sacramento, respectively.

Pierce College baseball players Eric Raba, Brian Smith and Mike Eby have elected to continue their college baseball careers at schools in the Cal State University system.

Raba, a right-handed sophomore pitcher who transferred from Ventura, said he signed a letter of intent with Cal State Northridge on Tuesday night.

“I feel really good about it because (Northridge baseball Coach Bill) Kernen told me I would fit right in,” said Raba, who is 11-0 with an earned-run average of 3.25. “I’m also excited because (teammate) Joey Arnold is going there.”

Smith, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound sophomore first baseman from Agoura High who transferred to Pierce from Arizona State, is batting .318 with three home runs and 42 runs batted in as cleanup hitter. Smith made a commitment to Long Beach on Sunday night and expects to sign a letter of intent within the week.

“Long Beach is a program that has a chance to make it to Omaha every year,” Smith said in reference to the site of the College World Series. “I’m hoping to move right in and contribute.”

Eby, a redshirt freshman left-hander from Westlake High who transferred to Pierce from UCLA, is 8-1 with a 2.70 earned-run average in 96 2/3 innings. Eby’s father Richard said Mike made the commitment Saturday night.

To transfer back to an NCAA Division I school, Eby and Smith must earn their Associate of Arts degree.

The trio bring to five the number of Pierce players who have committed to four-year schools this season. Shortstop Ricky Banuelos has signed with Lewis-Clark State of Idaho, and outfielder Arnold has signed with Northridge.

In addition, outfielder Erik Martinez is apparently close to committing to Pepperdine, Pierce Coach Bob Lofrano said.

Pierce, the two-time defending Western State Conference champion, will resume play in the Southern California regional Friday at Pierce.

The Brahmas (30-6-1), seeded No. 1 in the 16-team regional that began last week, will play in one of two four-team, double-elimination brackets, at 3 p.m. against ninth-seeded Riverside (28-13). Rancho Santiago (28-12) will meet Mt. San Antonio (29-15) at 11 a.m.