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.”
If you enjoyed the feature, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEPrivates) on Twitter.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
