Many high schools were fortunate enough to have a player sign for a Division I scholarship during the first day of the NCAA’s weeklong early signing period.

Not many schools can say they had six players sign National Letters of Intent. The Barbe Bucs can after Kennon Fontenot, Braeden Barrett, Erin Baldwin, Gunner Leger and Beau and Bryce Jordan all signed on with Division I schools.

Beau and Bryce — who are twins — will play for LSU. Leger and Barrett are also staying in-state, signing with Louisiana-Lafayette and Northwestern State, respectively. Fontenot and Baldwin are heading out of state, Fontenot to Oklahoma State and Baldwin to the University of Houston.

While this was not the first time Barbe’s baseball program has had six signees, it was the first time in the program’s history that six signed Division I scholarships, said Barbe head coach Glenn Cecchini.

Beau Jordan is coming off a junior season when he hit .466 with six homers and 46 RBIs, while Fontenot drove in 43 runs while hitting .393. Both stole more than 20 bases.

Barrett added 23 RBIs last year.

Last season, Leger and Baldwin were undefeated on the mound — Baldwin 7-0 and Leger 6-0. Baldwin had a 1.80 ERA and struck out 47 batters in 502⁄3 innings while walking 10 batters. Leger had a 2.04 ERA in 442⁄3 innings while striking out 47.

While not a baseball commitment, Cecchini mentioned the LSU baseball program’s interest in football prospect Trey Quinn, an All-American receiver.

“Talking to Dave Quinn, (Quinn’s father), and (LSU) wants (Quinn) to play baseball, too. So, he could’ve signed at just about any Division I school, too. So really, it’s like seven Division I guys.”

Cecchini mentioned qualities which drew programs to the players.

“There’s a lot of things,” he said. “They have talent, the expectation level. The kids are driven. Their work ethics are incredible and their parents instill that in them at a young age. They’re kids that are highly motivated, highly driven and goal-oriented. That class has about a 3.9 GPA. It’s all those things. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to be successful.

“I’m just so proud of them,” he added. “It’s really a special day for all these kids. It’s a tribute to anyone who has ever coached them. It’s a tribute to Barbe High School, our community and even the state of Louisiana for a school to have seven Division I guys. It’s unbelievable.”

Around the area, Jennings’ Evan Guillory signed to play baseball at ULL, while Hackberry’s Jolie Trahan and Fairview’s Haley Perkins will continue their softball careers at McNeese State.

DeRidder’s Tia Youngblood signed to play basketball at Northwestern State.

Among the Southwest Louisiana high school athletes to sign national letters on Wednesday

Rick Hickman