Stone Bridge senior outfielder John Bladel has accepted an offer to play baseball at James Madison University next season. As a junior, Bladel was a key component on the Bulldogs' first Liberty District championship squad, producing at the plate and in the field for Coach Sam Plank. Bladel was named Liberty District Co-Player of the Year in 2007 and also racked up First Team All-Northern Region and honorable mention All-State honors. Stone Bridge host a signing ceremony for Bladel on Monday at 4 p.m. in the school library.

Currently, the multi-sport athlete is filling in nicely for the injured Patrick Thompson at quarterback on the Bulldogs' undefeated football team. Bladel has 15 receptions for 175 yards and seven touchdowns and over the last two games has thrown for 208 yards and three scores.

Bladel isn't the only local diamond-cutter who will be on the field in Harrisonburg next fall, Loudoun Valley senior pitcher Caroline Williams and Broad Run's Haley Johnson have both been offered scholarships to play for the Dukes and will be signing their letters of intent along with Kaitlyn Barbour (Brentsville HS) and Lori Botkin (Osbourne HS) next Tuesday at Diamond Sports Training in Sterling at 6 p.m. The Vikings will honor Williams tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the school library.