VanBrooker joining WIU baseball team

Devin VanBrooker, who posted the best earned run average in the country among Division II junior colleges, and the fourth best overall ERA in any division in the nation, signed a National Letter of Intent and scholarship to play baseball at Western Illinois University.

VanBrooker, a 6-4, 220-pound left-hander from Plymouth, was the ace of the College of Lake County pitching staff with a 6-1 record last season. In 44 innings on the mound, VanBrooker posted a 1.02 ERA, while yielding only 32 hits, striking out 39 and walking six batters all season. The highly sought-after recruit had a special affinity for Leatherneck baseball as he attended Western Illinois baseball clinics when he was in his early teens.

“I remember seeing Devin throw at one of our clinics when he was 13 or 14 years old,” said Western Illinois head baseball coach Stan Hyman. “You could tell even back then that he was going to be a special player.”

VanBrooker also played on the same American Legion baseball team with current Leatherneck catcher Curt Myers.

“I think Devin really matured as a player under Coach Kelly at CLC,” said Hyman. “He's now ready to pitch at Division I and face some of the best competition in the country. Devin will truly make an impact on our pitching staff.”

VanBrooker is a graduate of Southeastern High School.