WS Chronicle

Football players Greg Brooks and Bryce McTeer made an undeniable impact as part of Walkertown’s inspiring run at the Class 1-A state baseball championship this spring. With both filling major roles, the Wolfpack came within two victories of reaching the state championship series.

Walkertown’s season came to a disappointing halt with consecutive one-run losses to No. 1-seeded Cherryville in a best-two-out-of-three West Regional series last week.

For Brooks, a designated hitter, it was most likely his last baseball game. The 6-2, 290-pound senior is an offensive lineman who has signed with Lenoir-Rhyne. Next month, he’ll play in the annual East-West All-Star football game.

McTeer, an outfielder and right-handed relief pitcher, hasn’t decided where he will play or which sport he will play. At 6-0, 255 pounds, McTeer is just as menacing on the mound as he is at middle linebacker on the gridiron. At this juncture, he hasn’t decided between Littlejohn Academy (NC), Winston-Salem State and N.C. A&T. There’s a possibility that he may wind up being a two-sport athlete in college.

“We’re going to miss them both,” said coach Bobby Smith, whose team finished up at 24-5. “Greg was a team captain and excellent leader in the dug-out. All the kids look up to him. Even though he signed a football scholarship, he didn’t back off from baseball. He worked as hard as he’s ever worked during his time here.

“Bryce has good speed and great hands. He is the definition of a closer because he throws pitches that make you swing and miss. As a hitter, he really clicked this season.”

Brooks, a right-handed hitter who has power to all fields, had a stellar season with a .330 batting average, 24 RBIs and one home run. What he’ll remember about the spring of 2016 is how the Wolfpack overcame a poor start to post the best record in school history.

“I’m proud of the way we turned things around after losing three straight games early in the season,” he said. “That was very impressive for this team. As for my personal accomplishments, I give all the credit to God. He has blessed me with so much.”

As a pitcher, McTeer, who routinely throws fast balls in the 90 to 91 mph range, has mellowed with maturity. This season, he posted a 4-0 record with a 1.87 ERA. In 12 appearances (33.2 innings pitched), he recorded 36 strikeouts.

“Once I got my (throwing) mechanics right, I was able to throw harder and with more control,” said McTeer, who relies on his curve, slider and split-fingered change-up to keep batters off balance. “The main thing for me was keeping my composure and realizing that I didn’t have to try to strike out every batter. I had to learn to trust our defense to give me the backing that every pitcher needs.”

At the plate, McTeer finished the season with a .400 batting average with 14 RBIs. “Bryce led the team in two-out RBIs,” said Smith. “We had to move him up and down in the lineup this season because opponents started trying to pitch around him.”