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GREENSBORO — On the eve of what could be a deep run in the state baseball playoffs, Northeast Guilford junior Luis Paula has removed another stress from his life by committing to play for North Carolina.

"It takes a lot off my back," said Paula, who also considered N.C. State, UNCG and East Carolina. "I don't have to worry about picking a school and trying to impress all these coaches now. I can keep working hard and getting better so when I get there, I'll be able to succeed."

Paula, a 6-foot-3 right-handed switch hitter, plays shortstop and pitches for Northeast, touching the low 90s with his fastball. He said Carolina has given him the option of playing either or both.

"It's up to me decide what I want if I work hard enough," he said.

Northeast head coach David Lawing said: "He's got the type of body coaches are looking for -- he's tall and thin and has got an opportunity to put some muscle on. He throws pretty hard, but I'm sure he'll be able to bump it up when he puts some weight on."

Paula said his main influence is his father, Miguel, who grew up in the Dominican Republic where baseball "is all they do." Miguel coached his son as a youngster and still takes him to a field several times a week to hit or throw.

"Both my parents are thrilled," Luis said, referring to his mother, Emily. "We all talked about it and figured out Carolina was the best opportunity for me to play and show what I've got."

Paula, who played for the N.C. Baseball Academy and now the Dirtbags, will be Northeast's first collegiate player since Jeremy Synan patrolled the outfield for N.C. State from 2006 through '08 and later for the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

The Mid-Piedmont 3-A champion Rams (20-4) will open the playoffs at home Friday against Williams.

"This experience this year has been amazing," Paula said. "This is like a completely new team. We all get along and we all work together. We're excited. We can't wait to play."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com