Augusta Brockus’ softball career won’t end after high school. She’s off and running to Lamar.
Brockus, a senior at Durango High School who affectionately goes by “Gus”, signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate softball for the Lamar Community College Runnin’ Lopes during a signing ceremony Wednesday at the DHS library.
“I emailed coach (Craig) Brooks because I was interested in the school and realized their softball program is really good,” said Brockus, daughter of Don and Jacquie Brockus. “I emailed them one day because my gut told me to. I went with my gut decision and got a reply back, and now here we are.”
Brockus will join Brooks’ successful program in Lamar. He’s posted a 389-289 record over more than 30 years of coaching, including 12 at Lamar.
The Runnin’ Lopes have one of the largest facilities in the country for a junior college, including a 9,000 square foot indoor hitting facility. Brockus also will be able to play under the lights at the Runnin’ Lopes’ Citizens’ Field.
“I’ve known a couple of people who played at Lamar before, and it’s a very supportive and developmental program,” said DHS head coach Chelsea Rodriguez, who completed her first year as DHS head coach after finishing her playing days at Fort Lewis College. “They send a lot of girls to bigger four-year schools to keep playing, and, from talking with Gus, I know she wants to do that.”
Having stability with Brooks will be a change for Brockus, who played for three different head coaches in four years at DHS. All three were present at the signing ceremony.
“In some respects, it didn’t help to have that many different coaches in one career. In other respects, it was a great thing,” Don Brockus said. “They each had their own strengths they brought to the situation. She learned things from each of them that she wouldn’t have learned from just one person all the way through. It capitalized her strengths and gave her flexibility, which is a good thing. That’s what sold her to Lamar; they recruited her as a utility player, and she really can play nine positions.”
Gus Brockus said she first knew she wanted to play college softball when she was 8 years old. Before that, she wanted to be a college basketball player, but her love for softball took over.
“I figured out that I really loved softball, and it became my passion. I always want it to be part of my life,” she said.
Don Brockus and Rodriguez both commended Gus Brockus for her hard work since the end of her senior season to help her earn a scholarship.
As a senior, Brockus hit .393 in 63 plate appearances. She scored 21 times on 21 hits and drove in 19 runs. She had two doubles and one triple. She also pitched, earning three wins in the circle while striking out 42 batters in 44 innings.
Gus Brockus said none of it would’ve been possible without her family.
“I’m blessed. That’s the only word for it,” she said. “My family did everything they could in their power to keep me involved, get me there, pay for me to go to tournaments, everything. I never would’ve done it without them. I’m very thankful and blessed.”
Rodriguez believes it is Brockus’ attitude that will carry her at the college level.
“She’s such a great person and a great player. Her attitude, enthusiasm and willingness to work will help her fit in right away,” Rodriguez said.
Though she isn’t certain if she wants to study to become an athletic trainer or a psychologist just yet, she knows one thing for certain: she can’t wait to play college softball at Lamar.
“It was my first choice, and I knew it was where I wanted to go as soon as I visited and met coach and the team,” she said. “I felt the chemistry and wanted to be apart of it.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
