La Grange’s Barber Leads Baseball Team to Biggest Win of the Season

La Grange senior Bennett Barber has had an illustrious career for the Leopards baseball team as a four-year starter on the middle infield, including the last three seasons as starting shortstop.

But last Friday was one of his biggest games ever as he had three hits, drove in the game-tying runs in the seventh inning and then the game-winning run on a walkoff 9-8 victory over first place Caldwell.

“What I’m proudest of even over his baseball accomplishments is the human being he is,” La Grange head coach Robert Barber said. “He is genuinely one of the most bighearted individuals I’ve ever met. I’m proud he is my son and of the person he is.

“(Friday) it was really big to see him come through ... big moment in a big game. He’s put in so much work and I’m so happy as a coach and as a dad to see it pay off there in the bottom of the eighth inning.”

We’re proud to honor Bennett Barber as this week’s Fayette County Athlete of the Week:

You’ve been a four-year starter on the Leps baseball team. How are you feeling as your high school baseball career winds to a close?

“It’s kind of emotional. It’s been a big part of my life for four years ... but you think back on all the memories and it means a lot to me.”

Your dad Robert Barber is the head baseball coach. What is the best part of having your dad as head baseball coach?

“Really getting to know the game in every aspect. He’s always there to work with me.”

What is the worst part of having your dad as head baseball coach?

“After a loss or if I play bad – that’s the worst part.”

What is your favorite

MLB team?

“Houston Astros”

Who is your favorite MLB player?

“Alex Bregman”

On a long road trip, which teammate would you want to be stuck next to on the bus and why?

“I’d say Brock Loehr because he usually has his ear buds in and doesn’t say a word, so if I was stuck next to him it would be the most tolerable.”

You were a longtime quarterback in football for the Leps as well. What was your favorite part of playing football?

“The competitiveness. Playing football was awesome, competing against 11 other guys, every snap.”

Is there anything you learned in football that made you a better baseball player?

“Getting stronger in the weight room was a big part of football so that carries over. The athleticism and stretching goes both ways.”

In practice, which La Grange pitcher on the team do you struggle to hit the most and why?

“Oliver Gunn had my number. In the two at bats I had against him, he made me look stupid.”

You’ve committed to play baseball for Panola Junior College after graduation. Talk about how they came into the picture and why you decided to play for them.

“It’s been a life-long goal to play college baseball. I started to send out emails and get in front of coaches this summer. Their coach responded to me. I went out to their campus to visit. It was a beautiful place. It’s in Carthage (Texas). It’s an awesome town, a lot of history there so it was an easy decision for me. I’m excited for it.”

What are your career plans for the future?

“I’m going to go to Panola and see where that will take me. Academically I’m going to try to get into something with Sports Management and take on life from there.”

What will be the key for this team to finish the season strong?

“We just have to keep our attitude up. At the end of the Caldwell game we were really into it and I think if we can keep that up we can be a dangerous team down the stretch. We just need to stay competitive, stay in the game and we can win a lot of baseball games.”