AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Five seniors from the Amarillo High baseball team signed their national letters of intent, securing their collegiate futures days before the Sandies begin their postseason run in the bi-district round.
Austin Sluder — Midland College
“Yeah, it’s just really exciting. I’m thankful for the people that supported me through this and helped me make my decision, and I’m looking forward to it,” Sluder said. “[Midland] recruited me the most and just sustained consistent communication, and they have a great program, and I’m looking forward to it.”
“We always talk about leaving a legacy, and I just appreciate the time I’ve spent with these guys and the amount of time I’ve spent with coaches and the way they feed into me.”
Head coach Randon Johnson said Sluder brings energy to the field every time the team plays.
“Personality-wise, Austin may not say a lot, but on a baseball field, this guy definitely has it, definitely has the flash,” Johnson said. “He is a guy who brings it every single time we go play, so we’re excited for Austin and his opportunity to play at Midland College. A young man who’s been a three-year letterman for us, he is another captain on our baseball team, and locks down center field.”
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Jimmy Escajeda — Vernon College
“This is just a great opportunity to be in front of, especially a great community supporting us, it really means a lot to me and the boys,” Escajeda said. “To wear the Sandie logo, it means a lot to me. It’s a great experience, especially with my friends I’ve been growing up with, it’s amazing.”
Johnson said Escajeda has been the heart and soul of the team as catcher for the past two and a half years.
“Jimmy’s been our catcher going on and off for two and a half years as a sophomore,” Johnson said. “Every sport has positions that you have guys who are not necessarily the limelight, they’re not the ‘showy’ position, but they are the heart and soul of your team. If you don’t have that position taken care of, then you don’t have successful teams. Jimmy, as our catcher the last two and a half years, has been a major part of our success and our ability to win baseball games, but also makes everybody else around him better.”
Talon Jones — Coastal Bend College
“It’s awesome. It’s a big moment, it’s everyone’s dream to go play at the next level and that’s really all you can ask for,” Jones said. “[Costal Bend] is just a great program. It’s a bunch of guys that work hard, they show up every day and they put in the work and it’s going to pay off.”
“Amarillo High, it’s like a legacy. Everyone wants to be a Sandie, everyone knows who Amarillo High is and everyone knows what it means to be a Sandie.”
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Johnson said Jones has worked hard throughout his four years with the program.
“As ‘showy’ as the position of shortstop can be, I think probably Talon Jones and his personality may be on the far end of the spectrum that way,” Johnson said. “Talon’s a quiet young man. He’s not going to be the guy who’s out there always necessarily being the rah-rah guy or talking in the dugout and those kind of things, but definitely a guy that other players on our team look to and see how he goes about his business, the way he does things.”
Dillon Grider — Kansas Wesleyan
“It’s a blessing really, seeing all my friends signing at the same time as me. It just really makes me feel super grateful for all of them and myself, God giving us the ability to play this game and everything,” Grider said. “Amarillo High, I feel like it’s such a tradition rich school. Being able to attend it has really been a blessing. Coach Johnson, Coach Dunham, all of them stepping into my life, really helping me build a plan, build who I am through sports, through school and through academics.”
Johnson said Grider plays a critical defensive position for the team.
“A big part of our outfield,” Johnson said. “Every year, we talk about as a staff, we talk about with our players... the right fielder is one of our biggest defensive positions. If we’re average in right field, we’re probably going to be an average baseball team, if we’re quality in right field then we’re going to be a team that has a chance to go a long ways in the playoffs. This group, at 28-4, has a great opportunity to go a long ways in the playoffs because of guys like Dillon and the things that he’s done for us out there.”
Tate Blackwell — Seward County
“It’s just a blessing. All these people coming out and supporting me that have been here my whole life and helped me along this journey, it’s just such a blessing,” Blackwell said. “You just always look up to someone that’s a Sandie and I think it’s just kind of a dream. I think being on Varsity is something that is just so special and I’m just so grateful to be a part of this program.”
Johnson said Blackwell has been a three-year starter and is a captain this year.
“He’s a two-year First Team All-District pitcher, a big part of what we do in the infield,” Johnson said. “Sometimes people look at him and think ‘We got him’ when he comes up to bat, but [Tate is] a guy who can be absolutely lethal at the plate as well. A big part of what we’ve done over the last couple of years, but absolutely the 2026 Amarillo High baseball team has benefited greatly from having Tate Blackwell.”
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