OPELOUSAS - Now he can relax and just play ball.

Westminster Christian Academy senior pitcher Randall Bulliard signed a national letter of intent to play baseball for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Wednesday afternoon.

But before baseball begins practicing in January, Bulliard will keep busy playing basketball for the Crusaders after averaging 25 points per game as a junior.

"I have always played basketball and baseball, so it is not really that hard," he said. " I am used to it."

Bulliard (5-9, 145) said he best atribute is his speed throwing the baseball, but admits he has room for improvement.

"This summer I topped out at 92 (miles an hour)," Bulliard said of his fastball. "But I throw about 88-89 consistently.

"Right now the slider might be my best pitch," he said. "But it depends on what day it is."

WCA coach Barry Manuel, a former LSU and Major League pitcher, first saw Bulliard's skills as a freshman four seasons ago.

"I knew back then that Randall had he had the arm," Manuel said. "His velocity has increased every year.

"He has a rubber arm and without a whole lot of labor, something was coming out of him.

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Tom Dodge
Louisiana Gannett News Service