Early Signing Period: Rummel’s Kyle Walker with LA Tech, Cabeceiras and Smilari to UNO

Kyle Walker made if official Wednesday, signing his letter of intent to play college baseball at Louisiana Tech.

Walker had committed to the Bulldogs on July 2.

“I had some great conversations with the coaches over the summer,” Walker said. “It just felt like an environment where I could really go play at the next level and continue my academic and baseball career, in state, with a new stadium. The dorms are right in center field.”

Walker, who has a good arm, is an outstanding hitter with good speed.

In 2020, Walker (5-9, 195) batted .391 with two doubles, a triple a home run and nine RBI in 12 games. He stole six bases in as many attempts.

In 2019, Walker batted. 333 with five doubles and 25 RBI in 32 games. He stole five bases in seven attempts. On the mound, Walker was 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA. In nine and a third innings, Walker allowed three runs on three hits, walking five and struck out 12 batters.

Walker has played shortstop, third base, second base, outfield and pitched for the Raiders.

“I like playing all positions but truly, I would probably say third base is my favorite position on the field,” Walker said. “I work with my dad, day-in and day-out every day. I wake up at 5 a.m. and have some late nights. I just want to thank him for all that.

Walker was an excellent football player at Rummel prior to concentrating solely on baseball.

As a sophomore running back for Jay Roth’s Raiders in 2018, Walker had 61 carries for 435 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

“I was more happy than being upset because my best friends coming from when I was younger are on the team,” Walker said. “It’s nothing but excitement for those guys winning state.”

Walker feels strongly about the Raider baseball team as well.

“We were 9-0 before the final tournament we played in last season before we got shut down,” Walker said. “I thought we had a good chance to win state. We will have a good team this year with a shot at winning state.”

Rummel has two players set to attend the University of New Orleans as preferred walk-ons in Jake Cabeceiras and Ryan Smilari.

Cabeceiras batted .212 with a triple, a home run and eight RBI in 11 games of the abbreviated 2020 season for the Raiders. Cabeceiras follows his father, Joey, to UNO.

Cabeceiras (6-0, 165) batted .212 with a triple, a home run and eight RBI in 11 games of the abbreviated prep baseball season for the Raiders in 2020.

Smilari batted .342 with five doubles, a home run and 13 RBI and a pair of stolen bases in just 12 games.