La. Tech commit Easton Sanders to lead Glenbrook in LHSAA semifinals
By Jimmy Watson // jwatson@shreveporttimes.com
When the 2024 LHSAA Ochsner Baseball state tournament gets under way Tuesday at Sulphur’s McMurry Park, Glenbrook’s Tony and Easton Sanders will be among the few father-son duos vying for a state title together.
As a No. 11 seed, Glenbrook (15-10) wasn’t expected to advance to the Select Division IV semifinals, but they’ll be a tough out in their 5:30 p.m. meeting with No. 2 Covenant Christian (28-5).
Even with Sanders, a Louisiana Tech commit leading the way, Glenbrook wasn’t supposed to defeat No. 3 Ouachita Christian last week in Monroe, but they pulled off the 4-2 upset.
“That game was my favorite because no one expected us to win,” said Sanders, who said his greatest fear is getting devoured by a shark.
Throwing strikes, having competitive at-bats and “believing in ourselves” were the keys to success per Sanders, who committed to Tech as an eighth grader and has hung with the Bulldogs now as a junior.
Sanders is currently hitting .412 with seven doubles, a home run, 15 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 40 walks. As a pitcher, he is 8-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 92 strikeouts against 24 walks. Those marks have been set through a smooth relationship with his coach/father.
Tony Sanders said he is tougher on Easton than the remainder of the team “like most fathers coaching their sons.”
“It’s always been tough on him with criticism he’s received saying he’s only starting because he’s the coach’s son,” Tony said. “Even though he started as a seventh grader, he’s made his mark by being the hardest working player I’ve ever had.”
An infielder and right-handed pitcher, Sanders chose the Bulldogs for several reasons, including the proximity to his home in Minden.
“A lot of my family and friends can come watch me play,” he said. “Also, because my dad played college baseball there and it would be cool to play at the same place as him.”
Glenbrook was a semifinalist last season, their first as a full LHSAA member, and the bulk of their 2024 losses have come to Class 5A schools like Captain Shreve, Parkway, Haughton and Benton, a non-select Division I semifinalist.
Sanders, who carries a 4.5 GPA and is the top student in Glenbrook’s junior class, has a typical day beginning with a 4 a.m. wake-up call and making his own breakfast. By 4:45 a.m. he’s working out, then it’s back home for a shower and another meal before heading to school by 7:30 a.m. Baseball practice is at 1:45 p.m. then it’s supper, studying and lights out by 8:30 p.m.
“Easton goes to the field by himself several times a week and just works on all of his game whether it’s tee work or running on the track to get faster,” Tony said. “He’s so motivated at everything he does and I’m so proud of him.”
Easton Sanders file
Country he’d most like to visit: Greece
Favorite subject in school: Math
Favorite TV program: The Neighborhood
Favorite restaurant: Superior Steakhouse.
Historical person he’d like to dine with: “Jesus Christ. As my Lord and Savior, he deserves all of me and I have a lot of questions I would like to ask him.”
Favorite college athletes: Maddox Mandino and Hayden Harmon
Team he loves to beat: Ouachita Christian
Toughest opponent he’s gone up against: Barbe High School
Favorite article of clothing: American Eagle white shorts
Person he most admires: “(Living Word) Pastor Trey (Waller). He is a very good man and I want to be like him one day.”
The habit he’d most like to break: “Being on my phone too much.”
Go-to app on his phone: Instagram