Port Neches-Groves seniors Jon Carnahan and Mitchell Todd signed to play baseball with the Marion Military Institute Tigers just before noon on Wednesday.

   Carnahan, a 6-2 catcher/pitcher, anchors the cleanup role for the Indians, who are in second place with a 4-1 District 22-4A mark. The Tribe has a 12-4 overall record.

   Carnahan is hitting .387 for the year and a whopping .429 in league play. He has seven RBIs and 2-0 pitching record with an ERA of 2.50.

   Todd, better known for his pitching, hits in the five hole for the Tribe. Todd is swinging a .333 average in district and has an overall average of .300. He has 10 RBIs, a 4-1 pitching record with one save and an ERA of 1.27.

   Todd is the regular Friday starter for PN-G. 

  MMI first met with Carnahan at a McNeese baseball camp. The Tigers invited Carnahan for a visit. While on the visit, the big senior backstop, told MMI coaches about his good buddy Todd.

  Assistant coach Jake Wells liked what he saw in Carnahan and liked what Carnahan had to say about Todd, so Wells contacted PN-G head coach Jay Stone.

  Stone said he really liked the MMI coaching staff and was really impressed with everything about the school and its baseball program.

  "It means a lot to parents, coaches and especially the players," Stone said, "the way the coaches showed their dedication and to personally make a trip down here to sign our kids — it means a lot.

  "I think Mitch and Jon made an excellent choice. They've had very productive careers as Indians and now they will get to move on and continue playing baseball. 

  "It's great when these kids get an opportunity to further their education and get to play ball at the next level."

  MMI is located in Alabama and is in the Alabama Community College Conference, which competes in Division I of the National Junior College Athletic Association. 

  Carnahan and Todd both said they were excited to get to play college baseball. Both added that there are a few goals to see through before their senior seasons with PN-G are finished.

  "Hopefully we finish on top," said Carnahan. "Winning state is the ultimate goal but first we have to take care of district."