Signing
Rogers Heritage pair sign LOIs
Two Rogers Heritage seniors inked letters of intent to continue their baseball and softball careers in a ceremony Wednesday at the high school.
Dylan Qualls signed to play baseball at Southern Arkansas University, while Lauren James chose Iowa Central Community College to play softball.
Qualls is a two-sport standout at Heritage, who earned all-state honors for the War Eagles football team this season and was the leading rusher in the 7A-West Conference.
He also hit .339 and earned all conference honors as a junior, playing mostly in the outfield for the War Eagles, despite a shoulder injury. Rogers Heritage baseball coach Mitch Cameron said Qualls' presence on and off the field was big for his young team, even though he wasn't 100 percent last season.
Qualls will also pitch for the War Eagles, but will likely play the outfield only in college.
"His actions as a leader came into play with four or five freshmen starting," Cameron said. "It's one of the reasons he'll be playing college baseball. He was still being productive in the lineup, even through he wasn't 100 percent. We're hoping that experience allows him to have that breakout year now that he has the signing out of the way, too.
"He's healthy and we have not doubt he's going to have that season we've been waiting for out of him."
Heritage softball coach Tiffany Taylor said James versatility allowed her to help the Lady War Eagles in the outfield last season, but she will catch in the spring.
James, who moved from Bentonville last year, hit .286 in her first season at Heritage, but had an on-base percentage of .406.
"She's smart behind the plate," Taylor said. "She moves well back there, quick with a good arm. Last year, she played basketball and I didn't know a lot about her. But she came in and worked super hard. She's not a power hitter, but she's a speed threat and can drop a bunt down. You need those kids that can find a way to get on base."
-- NWA Democrat-Gazette staff report
Sports on 12/07/2017