Leopards duo sign with NAIA programs
A pair of Liberty-Eylau baseball players signed national letters of intent Monday to continue their academic and playing careers at the collegiate level.
Triston Brooks, a three-year starter for the Leopards behind the plate, signed with Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and Garrett Brooks, no relation, signed with Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Ark. Both programs are NAIA schools.
Garrett Brooks is an outfielder and pitcher but will pitch for the Pioneers.
TRISTON BROOKS
Triston Brooks was a starter for the Leopard football team as well and has played deep in the playoffs.
“I’m really excited playing at A&M-Texarkana because
I get the opportunity to play in front of my family,” Brooks said. “Coach (Steve) Jones is awesome, and it seems like
I’ll really fit in there. They’re needing some catchers because the guys they’ve got are upperclassmen. They’re really successful, and I want to be a part
of a successful program.”
First-year head coach Zach Fowler served as an assistant for two seasons prior to taking over as head coach this spring.
“Triston could always hit, and behind the plate he’s become a much better receiver,” Fowler said. “He’s a throw-and-catch guy; nobody runs on him any more. He’s improved so much behind the plate. He’s grown at the plate, but you can’t see tremendous jumps in his numbers because he’s always been tough. His at-bats have improved, and you can see that.”
Triston plans on majoring in electrical engineering.
“I’ve got the chance to play in a lot of games here (at L-E); I’ve started every game since my sophomore year except six this year because of an injury,” Triston said.
“So I’ve gotten a lot of playing time and experience. I’ve gotten to grow here. With football we’ve got a great weight program, and so I was able to build up and get bigger. And I was able to play on a big stage in football, and that helps you play at a high level in any sports. Coach Fowler has really been preparing us and getting us ready.”
Triston is the son of Angie and Stacy Brooks.
GARRETT BROOKS
Garrett Brooks has emerged as one of the Leopards’ toughest pitchers during a recent surge that featured a 6-game win streak and 2-0 start to district play for the first time in 10 years.
“Garrett has come a long way,” Fowler said. “I had him on the jayvee as a sophomore, and he had all the tools back then. He’s grown into his body a little bit, and you’ve seen him really step up on the mound. He still has the ability to hit; he just has to learn to stay within the game mentally.
“The mental toughness for these guys and all of them has come along because of the work they put into it. We put a platform for them, and they go do it. They want to be good, and it’s showing by how they work.”
Brooks highlighted that size of the school at Crowley’s Ridge and the motto of “the college that feels like home.”
“I like the program and the school because it’s a christian atmosphere, and that’s what I want,” Garrett said. “It’s small, and I like that. The coaches, the teachers really have a connection with the students.
“My coaches have really prepared me to play at the next level. Coach Fowler, especially, has given me the confidence to know that I can succeed at the next level and given me that mental toughness to be ready to play. He expects a lot from us.”
Garrett is the son of Terri and Bo Brooks.