Archbishop Rummel outfielder Ryan Smilari signs with Loyola

Archbishop Rummel outfielder Ryan Smilari has signed to play baseball at Loyola-New Orleans.

Smilari played in 31 games for the Raiders this past season, batting .405 with an o-base percentage of .522. Smilari had nine doubles, a triple, a home run and 23 RBI and finished with eight stolen bases.

“When Loyola called, he was very, very excited to be there,” Rummel coach Frank Cazeaux said.

Smilari is the coach’s ultimate dream.

“Ryan is a young man that you can tell when it was baseball-time,” Cazeaux said. “He loves the game, loves to practice, he is in his element in the game. He is a very aggressive baserunner and he is well schooled in that department. He absolutely loves the game, was a pleasure to coach and teach and has a great attitude. He always hustles. We were very blessed to have.”

Smilari is playing for the Gibbs Construction American Legion team this summer.