Catholic High outfielder Ridge Gonsoulin signed a scholarship offer to Louisiana State University in Shreveport Tuesday to continue his baseball career.

“I’m excited about the whole deal,” said Gonsoulin. “I got offered a pretty good scholarship. It’s a nice place and it has everything I need.

“It’s a nationally-ranked program and I’m very excited.”

Catholic High’s Ridge Gonsoulin signed a national letter of intent this week to play baseball with LSU-Shreveport. - Lee Ball / The Daily Iberian Advertisement

LSU-S found out about Gonsoulin during the summer when he played with the Louisiana Legends travel team, and the buzz he created playing for them drew attention.

“I think it was word-of-mouth,” said Gonsoulin. “Some coaches told them about me and I fill one of their needs. Plus I played in their park one time and I’m sure that they had a couple of eyes on me.”

The scholarship offer came quickly, according to Gonsoulin.

“(LSU-S assistant) coach (Chris) Bertrand called me about three weeks ago in early March and talked to me,” said Gonsoulin. “Then on the second call he invited me for a visit and I went in late March and they showed me around the campus and Shreveport.

“I took some BP (batting practice) with them and met some of the players. That was the only contact that I had with them.”

Gonsoulin also considered Nicholls, Louisiana-Monroe and Southeastern Louisiana University but decided that Shreveport was the place for him.

“Everything that I need is there,” said Gonsoulin. “The apartments are real nice, the team was nice and I like the coach’s philosophy on baseball. I think that I can fit the program well.”

Gonsoulin is expected to stay in the outfield at LSU-S but could be also be considered at candidate to move to the infield.

“They are going to see how it goes,” said Gonsoulin, who plans to study either physical therapy or biochemistry. “They have 17 seniors next year so red-shirting could be an option.

“But I might be given the opportunity to show what I have in a couple of games.”

Catholic High coach David Jordan thinks it is a good move for Gonsoulin.

“He’s an outstanding baseball player but most importantly he is an outstanding student and an outstanding young man to be around,” said Jordan. “You are always going to get 100 percent from him in the classroom or on the field.

“I’ve always gauged my success here on whether or not I enjoy coming to work every day and with guys like Ridge, it’s enjoyable coming out here and working with him.”