TWIN FALLS -- College of Southern Idaho baseball sophomore outfielder Jack Barker makes head coach Boomer Walker's life easy.
The Mountain View graduate is off to a blazing start at the plate, slashing .630/.684/.717 with 13 RBIs through the Golden Eagles' first 14 games. Willing to embrace his role as a leader too, which CSI needs after returning just two hitters from its starting lineup and two pitchers who threw more than two innings in 2024.
Something the Golden Eagles will continue to need as they continue their season at home Thursday with a doubleheader against Treasure Valley Community College (noon and 2:30 p.m.) part of a nine game week for the team.
"When your best player is your best person and your best leader, you're in pretty good shape," Walker told the Times-News. "Jack from day one has just led the group, whatever they needed to be led in. He's just an incredible talent. We're just lucky to have him."
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Barker entered his freshman year as the team's youngest, Walker said. Still, Barker found his way into the starting lineup and slashed .286/.431./476 with two home runs, 29 RBIs and tied for the team lead with 35 in walks.
He returned a year older, more mature and knowledgeable about his craft. He also signed with NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa, which means he is not putting as much pressure on himself as a season ago.
"Last year, I was thinking every single at bat I need to hit a home run here to go to a good school," Barker told the Times-News. "And then it all fell into place the way that it should so I'm very grateful for that opportunity."
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After his freshman year, Barker dove into trying to understand the mental side of baseball. He said he believes baseball is about 80% mental and 20% physical. He thought he let some of the adversity get to his head.
He also worked with former MLB outfielder Brandon Barnes to tighten his approach at the plate before Barker spent all summer playing with the Cascade Collegiate Showcase team in the West Coast League.
He returned to Twin Falls with a different approach on and off the field. Instead of putting pressure on himself this year, Barker is trying to stay positive and have that carry over to a young team.
CSI baseball sweeps Weber State club team to start busy week
College of Southern Idaho baseball's 12-0 and 11-0 wins in a doubleheader sweep of Weber State's club team Monday started a week full of opportunity.
Barker is used to the cold February and March Idaho weather, unlike some of his teammates.
If it's a nice enough day to play baseball, it's an opportunity to get better and enjoy being out on the field. Five more games over the next three days is an opportunity to do just that.
"Just trying to have as much fun as possible," Barker said. "There's nothing much else to it. I realized that I only got a stamp on how many games I have left in a baseball uniform so just seizing the moment and trying to embrace every single pitch has been a gamechanger."
Justin Fitzgerald is the sports reporter for the Times-News. Prior to coming to Twin Falls, he was the sports reporter at the Cherokee Scout in Murphy, North Carolina for 2.5 years. Despite growing up in Maryland and graduating from the state's flagship university, he thinks Old Bay is overrated.
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