On Monday, May 19, Pike Liberal Arts School senior baseball players Kade Brookins and Luke Barron signed their college letters-of-intent at a ceremony. 

Both Barron and Brookins were big parts of Pike’s run to the Class 2A State Championship game this season. 

“These two are phenomenal athletes,” PLAS Coach Will Austin said. “I’m really excited to honor those guys. Both of these guys were very big leaders on the field and off the field and in the locker room for us. I can’t say enough about them.”

Barron signed with the University of Mobile, where he will continue his pitching career. Barron was an AHSAA North-South All-Star this past season and also earned both All-Messenger and All-State honors as a junior. 

As a senior, Barron pitched 48 and 2/3 innings with a 1.726 ERA and 48 strikeouts. He also held a 7-2 record as a starter with two saves. As a hitter, Barron held a .342 batting average with 11 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 41 RBIs and 23 runs. He also held an .867 fielding percentage as an infielder. 

“I went on a visit (to Mobile) this summer and the campus was really nice and the coaches were cool and my dad liked it, too,” Barron said of his decision to sign with Mobile. “Signing felt really good. It may have taken a little longer than I wanted to sign but I got it done and I’m excited to get started.” 

Barron said his goal for the future is to simply keep improving.

“I just want to get better every year and not have a blank year where I stop improving,” he said. “That’s the big thing for me, I want to make sure I’m progressing and getting better.”

Brookins signed with Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City. As a junior, Brookins earned All-Messenger as a football player. As a senior on the baseball field,he held an 8-0 record as a starter with a 2.80 ERA. He also struck out a team-high 79 batters. Brookins also earned a .336 batting average with a .475 on-base percentage, 14 doubles, three triples, one homer, 16 stolen bases, 23 RBIs and 38 runs. He held a .926 fielding percentage as an outfielder. 

“I had a workout there and it went great,” Brookins said of CVCC. “I love the place, love the location, love the coaches and love the players. It was an all around great atmosphere. It felt good to sign, like a weight was off my shoulders. I’ve been trying to find somewhere to go for a while and I found it.” 

Brookins said he’s going to college as a pitcher but plans to hit, as well.

“I just want to ball out,” he said with a smile. “I want to do the best I can no matter the outcome. I have to give it my all.” 

The pair were leaders on a Pike team that made it to the state championship game for the first time as a part of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. 

“It felt great,” Brookins said of making it that far. “It was very rewarding. We came up short but no one thought we would make it there. So, that made it that much better.” 

Barron also said he believed that the senior class helped build a foundation that the players coming up will continue to build on.

“I think my group of friends – our senior class – set the foundation for years to come with what’s coming behind us,” said Barron. “Making it (to the state championship) really helps those younger kids see that and know what it takes to get there. I think our 10th grade class is going to be really, really good when they get to be seniors and the junior class, too. I think next year’s team is going to be really good.”