Slidell softball players Bailey Mackles and Emma Whittington have played together for so many years that the duo almost lost count.

So, it seemed fitting that they would sign together to continue their softball careers in college.

Mackles, a pitcher, signed with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, while Whittington, an infielder, is headed to Rhodes. Jean Laguerre, a 6-foot-5 forward, is headed to Coastal Alabama North to play basketball.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” Mackles said. “I committed last year in October, so it’s been over a year. I’m just very excited to make it official. Whenever I was little, I always thought that I would play in college, so to live this out has been very exciting.”

The right-hander was dominant in the circle as a junior, posting 155 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA in 93.1 innings. She allowed just 50 hits and 38 runs (only 19 earned) with a 12-5 record while stranding 105 runners.

“Whenever I went on my visit, I fell in love with the school. I fell in love with the coaches,” Mackles said. 

Mackles and Whittington both started playing softball at age 4 and played together for the first time on a 10-and-under team.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Whittington said. “I used to pitch too, so Bailey was my competitor, but we’ve always had a really good relationship. When she was pitching, I was going to be there and be her No. 1 supporter, and she did the same for me.”

The sweet part of the signing for Whittington is that she still gets to play softball even though she thought she might not. A shoulder injury required surgery after her sophomore season that could have ended her playing days, but she overcame the injury.

“I want to have fun with it,” Whittington said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play, but I worked hard to get back after the injury. Now, I’m just ready to have fun.”

Slidell softball coach Bridie Stevens said the duo has been vital to the Tigers’ success.

“It’s been great to watch them mature over the last three years,” Stevens said. “Each school is getting a great athlete as well as a great young adult. They’re both leaders on the field, and I know they are both excited to play their senior seasons.”

Slidell basketball coach Krisner Green said Laguerre’s growth from his freshman year until now is what earned him a chance to play in college.

For Laguerre, signing day was a dream come true.

“I never thought that I would play in college, so this means a lot,” Laguerre said. “I guess it just shows that hard work pays off. I just want to keep getting better and better.”