Alabama snags another top recruit. Alabama Football/Facebook
Originally appeared on Vype.com
Every athlete dreams about their national signing day ceremony. Episcopal football players Jaylen Waddle and TayJon Martin finally got to experience theirs on Wednesday. Both chose different paths, but are happy with their decisions.
Waddle, a highly sought four-star receiver, grabbed the hat of college football dynasty Alabama, instead of Texas A&M, Florida State, TCU and Oregon.
“I had to remember why I liked Alabama so much,” said Waddle. “Just the culture behind there, it’s a great place to be. Really a great university.”
There’s a lot to be excited about, but he also plans to contribute once he gets to Tuscaloosa.
“I’m just trying to do me,” he added. “I’m not going try to do too much. Whatever the universe will want me to do, I’m ready for.”
TayJon Martin, another Division I recruit, chose Pennsylvania-based FCS program Lafayette College over in-state and FBS offers because he felt it prepared him the best for life ahead.
“Setting myself up for the future,” Martin said of the opportunity. “Setting myself up with the right people, and God has a plan for me.”
Even though Lafayette’s 1,500 miles away, it shares some similarities with his current school, which will make him feel right at home.
“It has an Episcopal feeling, so I’m already used to the environment,” he added. “I know how it is. I know what to expect coming in, and I think it will be a good experience for me.”
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Yainer Diaz run-scoring singles in consecutive innings, rookie Ryan Gusto matched a season high with six strikeouts and the Houston Astros beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Tuesday night.
The Astros scored three runs in the sixth and seventh innings — all with two outs — for a 6-2 lead.
Diaz hit a two-run single that bounced just in front of center fielder Riley Greene, giving Houston its first lead at 3-2 in the sixth. He singled in Isaac Paredes in the seventh.
Yainer gives us the lead!! pic.twitter.com/M1kEy7zD41
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 30, 2025
Yordan Alvarez had an RBI single on a bouncer up the middle in the seventh for a 4-2 lead. Alvarez scored from first when Isaac Paredes hit a shot off the base of the wall in left for his third career triple.
ISAAC TRIPLES HIM HOME!
5-2 Astros! pic.twitter.com/c59ILmMk0M
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 30, 2025
Gleyber Torres hit a two-run homer in the ninth to get Detroit within two runs. He was 3 for 5 with three RBIs.
Josh Hader struck out Zach McKinstry to end the game as Houston won for the eighth time in its last nine home games.
Bennett Sousa (1-0) struck out the final two Detroit batters in the fifth, stranding runners at second and third. He had three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.
Gusto allowed four hits and two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Jose Altuve hit second in the Astros lineup for the second straight game and went 0 for 4.
Key moment
The Astros did not have a runner in scoring position until there were two outs in the sixth. Then, Christian Walker hit a shot off the wall in left for an RBI double that pulled the Astros within 2-1 and chased starter Reese Olson (3-2).
Key stat
Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña has hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games.
Up next
Detroit RHP Jackson Jobe (2-0, 2.70 ERA) will start the final game of the series on Wednesday. Houston has not announced a starter.
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