Athletes expected to make pledges official by signing

• By ROBIN FAMBROUGH
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 11, 2009 - Page: 3C

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Some athletes make a late splash by committing to a college right before the NCAA signing period.

Don’t include softball players Jacee Blades of Parkview Baptist, Shelbee Rodgers of Central and Natalie Fernandez of Live Oak in that group.

The trio committed to their respective schools nearly a year ago and are set to sign today when the NCAA’s early signing period begins.

Blades, a shortstop, is set to sign with LSU, while Rodgers and Fernandez are scheduled to sign with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

“When LSU offered, I accepted,” Blades said. “The school is right by my house and it’s where I’ve always wanted to go.

“There were some other schools I was interested in, like Baylor. And I’ve had schools call during the last nine months and I’ve told them all I’m committed.”

Blades hit .410 with 28 runs scored for the Eagles last spring. She is projected as a utility infield/outfielder.

Rodgers, who struck out 225 and had an earned run average of 1.26 for Central last spring, is projected as a pitcher at ULL. Fernandez, an infielder-, is expected to play infield-outfield for the Cajuns. She hit .410 last year with 26 stolen bases.

“I like the fact that it’s close to home, first of all,” Central’s Rodgers said. “The players are fun to be around and the coaches have been successful in the past. I just feel like it’s right for me.”

Fernandez echoed some of the same sentiments, saying, “It’s close to home, but it’s not too close. And I love the way the team plays and the atmosphere they have for their games.”

BASEBALL: Two local players, pitcher-infielder Josh Burris of Scotlandville and designated hitter Austin Southall of University, are scheduled to sign with LSU today.

Albany shortstop Gabe Woods (Ole Miss), Catholic High pitcher-outfielder Alex Facundus (Tulane), third baseman Joe Martin of Zachary (Southern Mississippi) and infielder Dalton Torres of Livonia (Nicholls State) are also expected to sign today.

GYMNASTS SEC BOUND: Two gymnasts who compete for Elite Gymnastics and attend different local schools, Olivia Carisella and Scarlett Williams, are set to sign with SEC schools.