Tigers' Heathcott signs with LSU

Standout plans to try out in Major League draft in June

Patience paid off for Louisiana State University's baseball coaches, who Wednesday signed Texas High standout Slade Heathcott to a letter-of-intent.

When national signing day arrived last week, Heathcott was in Birmingham, Ala., where he had his knee repaired by famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews, an LSU alumnus. But the wait paid off for the Tigers when the left-handed pitcher/outfielder signed on the dotted line Wednesday morning.

"I had narrowed it down to LSU, Arkansas and Oklahoma," said Heathcott, who injured his knee while running with the football against Marshall...