Boudoin, Morse seal college deals

Published 8:57 pm Wednesday, August 2, 2017

PORT NECHES — By June, Braxton Boudoin and Brandon Morse were state champions at Port Neches-Groves.

By July, they had wrapped up a season with Port Arthur Memorial coach Jessie Riojas on the Southeast Texas Jays showcase team.

“It’s pretty fun. He has a lot of energy. I enjoy playing for him,” Morse said of Riojas.

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On Wednesday, Boudoin and Morse officially became college baseball players. Boudoin, PNG’s all-5A state tournament catcher, signed his letter of intent to play at Western Texas College in Snyder, west of Abilene, and Morse officially committed to Paris Junior College. The two held their signing ceremony at the Neches River Wheelhouse.

Oddly enough, the two PNG standouts were not offered any scholarships until after winning the 5A title.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Boudoin said. “Thank you to my teammates and my coaches for helping me get to the next level. I’m ready for it. I think [Morse is] going to be pretty successful at Paris, and I’m ready to go.”

Morse and Boudoin had reached a goal of Riojas’ Jays team, which helps prospects draw interests from college coaches.

“It’s an unbelievable experience for me to work with kids throughout all the area, not just Memorial,” Riojas said. “Me and [PNG] coach [Scott] Carter, at the end of the day, we’re in it for the kids, regardless of what colors you wear or where you work at. You want to try to help as many kids as possible get to the next level. I’ve done this for about four or five years. Kids from all over have been helped.”

Boudoin delivered the signals for PNG’s six shutout wins during the playoffs. Morse (9-2, 1.54 ERA) tossed three complete games, including the state final against Grapevine.

“I just thank all my coaches and teammates for helping me look good out there,” Morse said.

I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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