Grace Christian Academy has had a long line of standout players on the softball team, but a junior on this year's squad has set a new standard for the Lady Rams.

With the postseason just under wraps, Hailey Brooks has closed out her high school career on a high note.

“I’ve always loved softball. I started playing when I was 6,” she said. “It’s always just been my thing, you know, and my parents have given me every opportunity I could have, and I am so grateful for that.”

She attributes her success to God, opportunities, and hard work.

“I have always enjoyed putting in extra effort on the field and in the weight room. I like to push myself; it keeps me focused,” Brooks said.

In a game of balls and strikes, Brooks has proved to be a powerhouse at the plate and continuously set new standards of excellence for future generations of Lady Rams at Grace Christian Academy.

Brooks, who has been a high school starter since she was in eighth grade, has put up some impressive numbers during her career. She was named all-district, all-region, and all-state for the past three seasons. Brooks has a career .515 batting average and 166 runs scored. This season alone, she has had an on-base percentage of .642 with 58 hits, 48 RBIs, 17 doubles, and 3 triples. With an impressive 24 career home runs in a Lady Rams uniform, she hit 17 of them this year alone, setting new school records for career and single-season HR’s.

“Hailey is a talented player, she excels both in the outfield and at the plate,” Lady Rams Head Coach Dewayne Hunt said. “She’s been such a blessing to coach throughout her high school career,” Hunt said, “not only is she an incredible athlete, but her character shines even more. She excels at being a leader and bringing others with her to that next level of success. And she does it with a sense of quiet confidence and humility.  Our team was better because we had a person and an athlete such as Hailey always raising the bar.”

As this chapter of her softball career ends, she’s already looking forward to the next chapter. She has signed her letter of intent to play at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, where her sister Ella will join her on the squad.

“I am looking forward to playing it out in college and having fun. I'm just so honored to be a part of it all,” she said. “It means so much to me, you know, all the early morning workouts, all the late nights hitting … I'm grateful for my faith and my family for being with me through it all, my coaches, my teammates. Everybody has played so much of a big role, and I'm so grateful for all of them.”