Double nice: Cooley is looking to increase his stocks in baseball, football Sports

Kinder Highs Griffin Cooley, the star of the two sports, has already helped the yellow jackets get to the big stage of football.

Now, he says, helping the baseball team return to the state baseball tournament and earning a chance to play at a new level are above his wish list for his last two years at school.

Last year, Cooley played defender, defender and defensive defender while helping the jackets get to the Class 2A championships. In baseball, he also serves as a left-handed starter and pitcher. Last year, he helped Jackets reach the semifinals in the playoffs.

On Thursday, he was a starter as a pitcher for Team Louisiana Ardoins 5-4 victory over Arbelos Baseball in the New Balance Future Stars Series tournament. In the first match of the tournament, he had a double, a triple and a run in a couple of runs.

On Thursdays after the game, he said the pitch is a place he hopes to grow during the summer.

I want to be a little better in the pit, he said. I had a good game today, but I would like to hit the zone more. I think I’m pretty good at mixing pitches and getting ground. I throw a curve, a slider, a four-sided quick ball, a double-sided quick ball, and a swap.

When you’re not on a mound, Cooleys ’sportiness shines.

I run well and can follow the balls on the field, he said. On the plate, I see the ball well and use my speed to get extra bases. I work by hitting the ball hard. Playing college baseball is my goal, so I try to get attention. I’m waving a bat well, running bottoms well and playing with a lot of confidence.

In football, Cooley threw 182 yards and three touches and ran 219 yards and three touches, including a score for the state championship loss to Many.

I want to become a better player and teammate in football, he said. Getting into the state championship last year was a great experience. I feel like my strengths are similar to baseball. I can run, I am also physical and I like to hit people. Hopefully I will also get football offers at the university.