Those abilities have landed the slick-fielding Lufkin shortstop a scholarship to Texarkana College beginning in the fall of 2009. With his family and head coach Clay Berry at his side, Enriquez signed his letter of intent on Monday.

"I've been playing baseball since I was three, and the whole time I hoped to have a chance to play at the collegiate level one day," Enriquez said. "I love the game, I love the work and practice, and this has been my goal for a long time."

He said his coaches' input had much to do with his decision to play for the Bulldogs.

Asked when he saw Enriquez's potential to reach the college ranks, Berry answered, "The first day I saw him."

"Tin is one of those multi-tool players who does well in every phase of the game," Berry said. "He can hit for both average and power, he runs the bases well, he's got great hands and great feet, and he can play any position on the field.

"He's one of the few kids I've ever coached for whom I can say he's ready for college baseball right now. Some players take time to become acclimated to the game at that level, but on a physical and mental aspect, Tin's ready to go."

Enriquez will major in physical therapy while at Texarkana.

Lufkin Panther baseball players Chase Greening and Seth Thompson are familiar faces to area baseball fans, having played for various Lufkin youth leagues long before donning their Pack jerseys.

On Tuesday, both players signed letters of intent with Angelina College, ensuring the home folks will continue having the opportunity to see them extend their respective playing careers.

Gary Stallard/The Lufkin Daily News (ENLARGE)

Lufkin Panther baseball players Seth Thompson (seated left) and Chase Greening (seated right) sign letters of intent to play baseball with Angelina College next season. Behind the players are (from left) AC assistant coach Richard Martinez, AC head coach Jeff Livin and Lufkin head coach Clay Berry.

"I've worked out with (AC head coach) Jeff Livin for several years, and I like the idea of continuing to work with him while getting to play at home," Greening said.

Thompson also cited his relationship with the AC coaches, along with the chance to continue playing in Lufkin, as the biggest reasons for his decision to become a Roadrunner.

"I've always dreamed of playing college baseball, and I figured Angelina College would be a great place to start," Thompson said. "I've known these coaches for a while, and I know they'll help me develop the best I can.

"And knowing I'll be able to play in front of my friends and family means a lot to me."

As a junior, Greening pitched his way to a 5-2 record, a 2.59 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. He tossed three complete games, but none bigger than the six-hit gem he tossed in Game 2 of the playoff series against Klein Oak, a game that allowed the Pack an opportunity to take the thrilling rubber game and advance to the next round. Earlier, Greening had helped the Panthers clinch a playoff spot with a clutch mound performance against Conroe.

As for his anticipated role as a collegiate player, Greening said, "I want to come out and work on my game enough to compete at the next level, and I want to produce as soon as possible."

Thompson, also a junior in the 2008 campaign, used his speed and arm to provide Lufkin with solid defensive play, finishing the entire season without an error while contributing three outfield assists.

At the plate, Thompson hit .295 with 14 RBIs and a homer. The speedy outfielder added 12 stolen bases and 19 runs, abilities he said he hopes will get him in the Roadrunner starting lineup as soon as possible.

"Hopefully I can add some speed to the lineup, get on base, steal bases, and generate runs however I can," Thompson said.

Lufkin head coach Clay Berry expressed confidence the two Panthers would be ready to play collegiate baseball.

"There's no doubt they'll be able to make the transition very easily," Berry said. "Chase came up early in his career and played on the varsity as a freshman, so we know he has nerves of steel.

"And Seth has tools that are as good as or better than some college players on rosters right now. He can step on the field and outrun anybody; he's got a tremendous arm and a great nose for getting to the ball."

Thompson said he plans to major in drafting, while Greening at this time is undecided.

Angelina College head baseball coach Jeff Livin has had plenty of time to observe Lufkin pitcher J.P. Clifton. After all, Livin has served as the youngster's pitching coach and mentor for several years.

Yet despite the familiarity with Clifton's abilities, there was one remaining element Livin said he wanted to see personally.

Gary Stallard/The Lufkin Daily News (ENLARGE)

Lufkin Panther pitcher J.P. Clifton (seated) signs a letter of intent to play baseball for Angelina College beginning in the fall of 2009. Pictured with Clifton are (back row, from left) Lufkin head coach Clay Berry, mother Debbie Clifton, father Paul Clifton and Lufkin coach Todd Foley.

"There's never been a doubt in my mind that J.P. had the tools to become a successful pitcher at any level," Livin said. "But I wanted to see him really compete. I wanted to see how he handled himself in tough situations."

Livin got that opportunity as recently as this past Monday night, when Clifton entered a game against Houston Christian in which the Pack trailed by a single run. Clifton performed beautifully, keeping the Mustangs off the scoreboard in his time on the mound.

"That showed me what a competitor he is," Livin said. "In baseball, it doesn't get much tougher than a 1-0 game. J.P. did exactly what you'd want to see a pitcher do in that situation. He kept his team in the game."

On Friday, Clifton extended his working relationship with Livin by signing a letter of intent to play baseball at AC beginning in the fall of 2009.

"I've known Coach Livin for a long time, and I've always wanted to play for him," Clifton said. "He's helped me work on developing my pitches and my approach to make me more effective."

Clifton said he's also looking forward to the spanking-new Roadrunner Field, currently under construction and on track for the first pitch of 2010.

"I like the idea of being one of the first to play on the new field," Clifton said.

The hard-throwing senior is one of the anchors of the Panther pitching staff. Clifton may have cemented his reputation as a college-level hurler with his performance in the 2008 post-season. With the Pack facing elimination against Klein Oak, Clifton — then a junior — tossed a complete-game beauty, going to a three-ball count just once and walking none over seven innings.

Clifton's parents, Debbie and Paul, said the years spent driving their son to various ball parks and tournaments became worth in on Friday.

"Absolutely worth it," Debbie said. "We've said a lot of prayers, and we feel it's God's will to have him close to home. He's got a good coach to guide him and help him improve, and we're extremely happy about the whole situation."

Clifton said he'll enter college as an undeclared major at this point; but his father Paul said his son had decided on a major years before.

"All J.P. has ever wanted to do is play baseball," Paul joked. "Any time we ever asked him about a major, his answer was always 'baseball.'"