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Posted on Thu, Nov. 10, 2005
R E L A T E D C O N T E N T
NURI VALLBONA / HERALD STAFF
DAY OF DECISIONS: Varela High School starts Cindy Castrillon, left, and Devin Rivers sign letters of intent to play basketball for Northeastern Louisiana and Coastal Carolina, respectively, on Wednesday.
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
Signing in ahead of time
The Volunteers became popular destination for Miami-Dade's top athletes -- including Bryan Morgado and Nick Hernandez.
By MANNY NAVARRO
mnavarro@herald.com
Bryan Morgado and Nick Hernandez don't know the words to Rocky Top yet. But they will soon.
The University of Tennessee nabbed both of the county's elite left-handed pitchers and three more Dade stars Wednesday, the first day of the national weeklong early signing period for athletes in sports other than football and s****r.
Athletes who don't sign with a school before Nov. 16 must wait until the late signing period begins April 12. Football, s****r and water polo players can sign starting Feb. 1.
The Vols, who signed All-American cornerback Demetrice Morley from Killian in February as part of one the nation's top football recruiting classes, could have just as strong of a baseball class this year.
Morgado, a potential first-round pick, led Florida Christian to its second consecutive Class 2A state championship in May after an 8-1 season in which he struck out 103 batters to go with a 1.14 ERA. He was named The Herald's Class 3A-1A Pitcher of the Year.
Hernandez, an All-Dade first-team selection at Hialeah, had a stretch during his junior season in which he didn't give up a run in 40 innings and finished with a 9-2 record, 0.90 ERA and 75 Ks.
Also headed to Tennessee: Southridge infielder Yan Gomes (.453, 5 HRs, 25 RBI), Florida Christian right-hander Shane Hill (6-0, 0.92 ERA, 41 Ks) and Hialeah right-hander Ryan Butner (4-6, 2.30 ERA).
''For me, it came down to three -- Tennessee, Alabama and Miami,'' said Morgado, who officially will sign with the Volunteers today. ``Tennessee showed me they wanted me more. They were there for everything. Plus, when I went on my visit, I had a great time. They made me feel at home.''
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Maybe the reason Morgado felt at home was because Tennessee quickly has become a landing pad for former Dade and Broward stars. His tour guide on his visit in early October was former Westminster Christian and All-Dade catcher J.P. Arencibia.
''The fact all my friends are going and the fact there are already some guys up there from Dade is all that needed to convince me,'' said Hernandez, whose recruiting trip to Tennessee two weeks ago was canceled by Hurricane Wilma. ``We're going to have a great team.''
In all, 21 Dade baseball players either signed Wednesday or will be signing by the end of the week.
"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true."
