Franklinton middle infielder/pitcher Collin Dominguez has signed a letter of intent to attend Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss., and to play baseball for the Blazers.
“It was really a split decision at first because I had a few colleges looking at me, but then I went and visited and I just loved their field. I loved how it was maintained,” Dominguez said. “It’s all turf. It’s just a really nice program and the school’s excellent.”
Dominguez said he’s only played a few games on turf.
“It plays a lot faster. The hops are more true, but also, it’s really easy to tell what the ball is going to do,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez said he feels he brings speed, a good arm and a lot of baseball IQ.
This season, Dominguez was a first-team all-district player after having a solid season at the plate and on the mound. Offensively, he hit .342 with 12 RBIs, to go with four doubles and a triple. Dominguez did a great job of making contact. He struck out just three times in 89 plate appearances. On the hill, Dominguez went 5-2 with a 3.35 ERA. Dominguez struck out 45 and walked 17 over 40 innings over work.
This season, the Demons reached the regional round of the state playoffs as the 18th-seeded team, but lost to second-seeded and state semifinalist Breaux Bridge in the first two games of a best-of-three series, 12-0 and 12-2.
Franklinton coach Jeff Tageant said it’s always a source of pride when a player moves to the next level.
“I think it says a lot for our program, but Collin has worked hard,” Tageant said. “His arm strength really, really improved this year. He did a great job at shortstop. He boosted his batting average over 100 points from last year. Belhaven is a very good university, so we’re proud for him.”
Dominguez said he plans on majoring in chemical engineering.