RESERVE — Madison Watson, starting third baseman for the Southern Sluggers 18U Gold team, has decided to continue her playing days for new Head Coach Rick Fremin and the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions.

Watson has been starting for the Riverside Rebels since the eighth grade and has helped lead the Rebels to three straight appearances in the state tournament in Sulphur. Watson has posted a batting average of .420 for her high school career going into her junior season at Riverside.

If her pace continues, she will graduate near the top of the career list for hits, home runs and runs batted in for the Rebels.

“Madison is a kid who has a great instinct for the game — the bigger the moment the better Madison plays,” Tamra Regallo, Riverside Academy head softball coach, said.

Katie Duhe, who also played for the Lions, coached Watson this past summer for the Slugger Gold Team.

“Madison has a tremendous upside — she is fearless on the corner and possess all of the skills necessary to have a great career in Division 1 softball,” Duhe said. “SLU could not have picked a better kid.”

Watson has qualified academically and will be part of the Lions’ class of 2018.