RAIDERS MOVING ON | Jackson, Tavarez sign letters of intent
NEW LONDON — West Rusk High School baseball had one of its best seasons in the history of its program last year, and the Raiders are looking forward to season one with coach Ronnie Hendrix at the helm.
And seniors Cole Jackson and Kullen Tavarez will have a little extra spotlight shining on them, not only as seniors, but as soon-to-be college baseball players.
Both Jackson and Tavarez signed national letters of intent on Thursday morning at the West Rusk gymnasium, in front of coaches, family members, teammates and the West Rusk student body.
Tavarez signed with Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia, whose Knights play baseball on the NAIA level and in the Southern States Athletic Conference. They’re just getting their current season started, and among the other teams in the conference: William Carey, Faulkner, and Loyola New Orleans.
The Knights can use Tavarez in a number of ways: as a right-hander on the mound, left fielder or first baseman. Tavarez was first-team all-district outfielder last season, a season in which he and Jackson helped the Raiders go three rounds deep in the UIL Class 3A playoffs.
Jackson is headed to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, and will also be on the baseball diamond.
Jackson announced his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs last fall. And he is versatile: a right-handed pitcher, and just about any position on the diamond: third, second, or first base.
Concordia is also an NAIA program, and competes in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
Like Jackson, the Bulldogs are all business on the field: four straight years of over 40 wins a season; currently ranked No. 20 in the NAIA national poll; coached by Ryan Dupic, who has won seven conference titles and made six national tournament appearances; went 42-15 a year ago; they’re the favorite among coaches and the media to win yet another conference championship.
It’s been a busy few days in the ETBlitz.com coverage area for signings — Wednesday was, after all, National Signing Day. There are likely more athletes to sign in the next few weeks, and we’ll have those here, as well.
Here’s a link to our signing day article from Wednesday: SIGNING DAY! | Athletes in the ETBlitz coverage area make their decisions official.
Congratulations to Cole Jackson and to Kullen Tavarez, but before you head elsewhere, we’re looking forward to the 2025 season here at West Rusk!
