DeSandro makes collegiate commitment

Devin DeSandro is staying home to play his college baseball.

The E.D. White standout pitcher announced yesterday afternoon on his Twitter page that he’s committed to Nicholls State University — a huge get for the Colonels’ 2020 signing class.

DeSandro is the top arm locally in 2020. Arguably, he’s been the top pitcher in the area for the past 2 seasons.

Last year, he was an absolute ace for the Cardinals, posting an ERA below 1 for a team that lost just one regular season game.

DeSandro said his decision marks a dream come true — something he’s wanted to do his whole life.

He joins teammates Parker Coddou and Brayden Walters as fellow Nicholls commitments.

“I can’t wait to be a Colonel,” he told The Times on Wednesday morning. “I’ve been dreaming about playing college baseball since I was 5 and I will finally turn this dream into a reality.”

And it’s a reality that will help Nicholls’ future, as well.

The Cardinals’ ace commands multiple pitches and has the ability to work all angles of the strike zone against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

E.D. White coach David Constant said last season that DeSandro was a weapon — a luxury that every high school coach in Louisiana wishes they’d have.

When he’s on the mound, he’s lethal — often working deep into games, if not the entire way to help his team win.

When not pitching, DeSandro is a middle infielder with plus-level fielding skills.

At all times, DeSandro is a top of the order hitter for E.D. White — a complete, five-tool prep baseball player.

“He’s lights out,” Constant said. “He’s good great stuff and he’s so hard to hit. His ERA is ridiculous. You see it, then look at it twice because you think it’s a type-O on the paper. That’s how good he’s been for us. He’s a great baseball player and a terrific young man. We’re so excited for everything he’s done and we can’t wait to see what his future has in store.”

DeSandro said he had a handful of offers he’s picked up in the past few years — both pitching for E.D. White and also in travel baseball throughout the course of the year.

But he chose Nicholls because of the vibe. He said the Colonels’ program stood out to him because it would afford him the opportunity to create a new home — while never actually leaving home to begin with.

“The thing I like most about Nicholls is the atmosphere,” he said. “The people that Nicholls is surrounded by and the support that the city of Thibodaux gives is something special. I feel like I finally found my home — in my hometown.”

DeSandro said once he got the offer from Nicholls, he had a good idea that the Colonels were his leaders — the place in his heart that he wanted to go.

He said he thought it over and decided recently that it was time to go ahead and make the pledge — an announcement that was met with widespread support on social media, generating hundreds of likes and dozens of congratulatory messages.

“The timing of my decision was made based on when I thought was the right time,” DeSandro said. “I been contemplating this for a while now, and after talking with my family, I believed this was the right time.”

Now, DeSandro said it’s full steam ahead to try and get to Sulphur in 2020.

The pitcher said he is fully focused on trying to make the most of his final season with E.D. White.

The Cardinals were dominant last season, but Constant has hinted throughout the summer that he believes the team can be awfully strong again next spring.

DeSandro believes that, too.

He said his goals are to make the most of his senior season — on and off the field — and to try and bring big things to E.D. White.

“My goals for this senior year are to bring a positive and winning atmosphere to the school,” DeSandro said. “I want to better not just myself, but my teammates and the people around me. I will do whatever needs to be done to give my team the best chance to win.”