The Columbia Academy Cougars baseball team had two standouts sign letters of intent to play college ball Wednesday morning.
Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American Slade Wilks signed with Southern Miss after committing as a freshman, and southpaw Tate Duncan inked a scholarship with Hinds Community College.
“They’ve worked their tails off academically and athletically, and I couldn’t be more proud of these two guys,” CA head coach Keith Stanley said. “They represent our program well and the school.”
The outfielder has put together an illustrious career with the Cougars with a career .420 average, 44 home runs, 138 RBI and 44 stolen bases in 130 games since he became a regular starter in eighth grade. He said it’s been a lifelong dream to play for the Golden Eagles.
“Southern Miss is where I wanted to go all along. Being 45 minutes away from the house and being able to have my family come and watch me play, that’s going to be awesome,” he said. “To be able to experience it with my classmates and good friends of mine, it’s pretty awesome.”
Growing up Wilks went to a lot of Southern Miss baseball games with his family, and when he visited the Hattiesburg campus he said he fell in love with the coaching staff.
“The family atmosphere Southern Miss provides with their coaches, and their coaches are a lot like me in a lot of ways. That was definitely the draw for me,” he said.
Wilks said there’s a lot of people he’s thankful for in helping him get to this point, but his parents, Porter and Sissy, sister, Anna, uncle, Danny, and the rest of his family top the list.
“All my family I’m really thankful for,” he said. “Everybody in here has meant a lot to me, and I’m glad everybody could come.”
Starting as a freshman is Wilks’ primary goal when he gets to USM, and he said the rest of his personal goals don’t matter unless he gets a chance to start right away.
Wilks is widely projected to be a high draft pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of high school after strong showing in showcases and all-star games around the county and will likely have a tough decision to make between playing for USM or going pro.
For Duncan, he said it’s exciting for him to get the chance to play at Hinds.
“It’s always been a dream to play at the next level,” he said. “I’m just blessed with the opportunity and happy.”
Hinds provided a home atmosphere for Duncan, and he said he just felt good on the Raymond campus.
“I really liked the coaching staff, too. They’re good guys,” he said.
Duncan said he plans to continue to get better and hopes to have the opportunity to play at a four-year college after his two years at Hinds.
The Hinds coaching staff plans for Duncan to pitch, play first base and the outfield, but his main priority will be on the mound. The left-hander, who is also a star in basketball, went 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings as junior last season. Offensively he hit .232 with one homer, 24 RBI and eight stolen bases.
