The dream lives on for Acadiana High School graduate and former UL shortstop Greg Fontenot.

Fontenot, who played the past four years for the Ragin’ Cajuns, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Grand Prairie (Texas) AirHogs of the independent American Association. He was set to be in an AirHogs uniform for Monday’s game against the Fort Worth Cats.

"I’m pumped," Fontenot said Sunday night in an interview with The Daily Advertiser. "I finally get a chance to do what I’ve been wanting to do since I was a kid and that’s getting paid to play the game I grew up loving."

Fontenot said he got the opportunity after ex-Cajuns pitcher James Gamble made a call on his behalf to AirHogs manager Ricky VanAsselberg. A native of Gardner, La., VanAsselberg was an All-American at Baptist Christian College in Shreveport before coaching the United Baseball League’s Alexandria Aces and Shreveport-Bossier Captains, the 2010 American Association champions.

The AirHogs went into Monday’s game with a league-best 20-9 record and currently sit atop the South Division. Their next home game is at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against the El Paso Diablos at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

After hitting .404 at Acadiana High as a senior and making The Daily Advertiser’s All-Acadiana team, Fontenot worked his way up from being a utility player to a three-year starter for the Cajuns. He posted at least a .320 batting average and 70 hits in each of his final three years on campus and left as the program leader in career assists (538).

This past season Fontenot earned All-Louisiana honorable mention honors as he led the Sun Belt with 182 assists, tied for the team lead in sacrifice hits (16) and was second in batting average (.330), runs scored (41), hits (70) and doubles (13). He also tied for second in walks (21) and was third in steals (12) and RBI (31).

Fontenot joins the AirHogs right after former major league pitcher Greg Smith signed with the New York Yankees and joined their Triple-A affiliate, proving there is a chance to move up from the independent leagues.

"I think this is a great situation for Greg," Cajuns coach Tony Robichaux said. "He will get paid to play professional baseball with a chance that an affiliated team eventually picks him up. He anchored a tough position for us as a strong fielder and hitter."

As for now, Fontenot will be taking the steps necessary in adjusting from the college game to pro ball.

"Team management wished me luck and told me to just go out there and do what I’ve been doing my whole career at UL," Fontenot said. "I am going to go in as a utility guy and will have to earn my way into a starting role. But I am definitely looking forward to the challenge."

Geith signs with Tampa Rays

Former Cajuns left-handed pitcher T.J. Geith has agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Tampa Bay Rays after getting picked in the 39th round of last week’s draft.

Geith said he has yet to be assigned to a minor-league affiliate. The 6-foot-5, 175-pound lefty is currently participating in a team mini-camp in Florida.

As a senior, Geith led the Cajuns with a 6-5 record and three complete games. The preseason all-conference selection was second on the club in innings pitched (82.1) and had a 4.59 ERA in 14 appearances.

Geith was at his best in conference play. Against Sun Belt opponents he tied for first in the league in complete games (three) and tied for fourth in wins (six). He also tied for eighth in strikeouts (47) and was ninth in innings pitched (63).