Southeast Lauderdale’s Dakota Boney, left, and Ryan Smith, right, signed with East Mississippi Community College Tuesday morning.

Dakota Boney and Ryan Smith have shared the baseball diamond since they were junior high students, and both players ensured they’ll remain teammates for another two years after high school.

Boney and Smith pledged their commitments to East Mississippi Community College Tuesday morning in a ceremony held at Southeast Lauderdale High School’s library.

“We’ve been playing with each other since eighth grade, and we work well together,” Boney said. “It’s going to be fun.”

The two seniors have been part of a Southeast Lauderdale nucleus over the last three years that has been responsible for 48 wins. Both players have started for Tigers’ head coach Shay Cooper since their freshman years. Cooper said having a familiar face to turn to next year will make the transition to college baseball a bit easier.

“I think that they’ll be a little more comfortable knowing both of them will be there, and they’re used to playing with one another,” Cooper said. “They know each other well, so I’m excited about that for both of them.”

As Tiger teammates, Cooper said Boney and Smith have routinely challenged each competitively, and he expects that trait to follow them to Scooba.

“They can push each other, too; they’ve done that for years,” Cooper said. “They push each other and motivate one another, so I think it’s going to be a good deal for both of them. They’re excited about it, and Coach (Brett) Kimbrel is getting two quality guys.”

Last year, Smith pitched and played second base. He threw 30.2 innings and ended the year with a 2.51 earned-run average and 17 strikeouts. Offensively, he batted .263, knocked in 17 runners and scored 12 runs. 

Smith said East Mississippi’s similarities to Southeast Lauderdale, along with the opportunity to join first-year Lions’ coach Kimbrel attracted him to the school.

“Their field kind of felt like our field,” Smith said. “It felt like home when I went up there. It really excites me. He has a lot of talent this year, and they have good people coming in. They should be all right.” 

Boney played third base and pitched last season. As a batter, he strung together a .289 batting average, tallied 16 RBIs and scored 11 runs. On the mound,  Boney compiled a 2.26 earned-run average and three wins over 43.1 innings pitched. He struck out 46 batters.

Boney and Smith still have one more season at Southeast Lauderdale, and the two have high hopes to cap their Tiger careers on a strong note. Tuesday’s ceremony not only cemented the next step in their baseball careers, but it also solidified their strong bond.

“It’s pretty special to me because he’s been my brother since we started high school together,” Smith said. “He’s been there for me.”