Northshore catcher Chad Gough-Fortenberry has signed a letter of intent to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and play baseball for the Lions.

“I’m really excited about going to Southeastern,” Gough-Fortenberry said. “When they called me up the first time, I was excited because it’s close to home and I felt like it’s the place for me when I made my decision.”

He also said he likes the coaching staff.

Pictured is Northshore catcher Chad-Gough Fortenberry, who signed a letter of intent to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and play baseball for the Lions. He is shown on the right, seated next to his mother Susan Gough. Standing in the second row from left: NHS assistant baseball coach Charlie Hickman, NHS coach Rick Mauldin and assistant coach Vincent Ruda. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

Gough-Fortenberry, who was also recruited by McNeese State, University of Southern Mississippi, University of New Orleans and Northwestern, said making his decision before the high-school season was important to him.

“As soon as I committed, a tremendous amount of stress came off my shoulders and I started playing way better than I did in the beginning of the fall,” Gough-Fortenberry said.

Gough-Fortenberry played fall ball with the Louisiana Knights’ travel baseball team.

He also played with the Knights’ 17U during the summer and led the squad with a .500 batting average in 82 at bats. Gough-Fortenberry hit one homer and drove in 24 runs, while scoring 15. He also took advantage of his stolen base opportunities, swiping four and getting caught just once. Gough-Fortenberry also proved to be a tough out, striking out just four times in 99 plate appearances.

Gough-Fortenberry also did well during the high school season. He helped his team to a 22-13 overall record and 11-3 mark during district. The record allowed the Panthers to win District 7-5A.

During the district season, Gough-Fortenberry hit .370 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. Like he did with the Knights, Gough-Fortenberry proved to be a tough out, striking out just twice in 54 at bats. Those numbers netted first-team all-district honors.

NHS coach Rick Mauldin said Gough-Fortenberry can do well for any team.

“I think Chad can make an impact anywhere he goes,” Mauldin said. “I think a lot of the bigger schools look at him and see his short stature instead of what he can really bring to them.”

Mauldin said Gough-Fortenberry is good on defense, but said his strength is hitting. He said Gough-Fortenberry is tough to pitch against.

“Chad’s a hitter,” Mauldin said. “Chad can go anywhere with the ball with power. He can pull the ball down the line, he can go dead centerfield or he can drive it out over the right-field fence and that’s what you look for. Those kids that can hit the ball anywhere.”

Gough-Fortenberry said his most memorable moment so far at Northshore was last season when the team beat C.E. Byrd in the bi-district round of the playoffs. The Panthers were down 5-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth, but NHS came back to win, 10-6. In that game, Gough-Fortenberry hit a two-run homer late in the game.

He said his favorite major league baseball player is Atlanta Braves’ third baseman Chipper Jones.

Chad is the son of Susan Gough and the late Randy Fortenberry.