Photo by: Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics
Get to Know: Brooke Vestal
Feb 07, 2024 | Softball
Graduate transfer Brooke Vestal joined the Aggies this summer. The New Braunfels, Texas, native, spent the 2022-23 seasons at Ole Miss after playing at Oklahoma in 2020-21. She has appeared in 57 games, including 21 starts and owns a 16-6 record with a 2.67 ERA. Vestal logged 114.2 innings of her career 147.0 innings pitched at Ole Miss, while holding opposing hitters at bay to a .174 batting average against in 2023.
Get to know one of the newest Aggies below.
Get to know one of the newest Aggies below.
Why did you decide to transfer to Texas A&M?
"When I went into the transfer portal, I knew there were five schools near my hometown which made me want to come back to Texas. My sister opened the door because she was already signed here, and me getting to meet coach Ford, I instantly connected with her and knew this is where I wanted to be."You have plans to be a graduate assistant next season at Texas A&M, what's it gonna be like to have your sister play here at the same time?
"It is exciting because I have gotten to experience it first and kind of get the lay of the land. I have talked to her to know what she should expect since often it is very different when you get to a college and see reality versus what they may have shown on your visit. That's not the case here, the Texas A&M staff is very genuine, it's amazing, the facilities are great, and you get to see it first. But sharing this with her is very cool."Have you experienced any culture shocks since transferring to Texas A&M?
"All the traditions. At my first two schools, there were not as many deeply rooted traditions. Trying to figure all of them out has been fun. I'm trying to learn everything to not just be a transfer, but to be an Aggie. I also find it crazy how other Aggies will recognize you solely off the Aggie Ring. You may have had zero conversion, but it starts one since they are an Aggie as well."How would you describe the team chemistry after the War Games and Fall Ball?
"I thought the fall and preseason training really helped us. A lot of the events were fun but challenging at the same time. We really got to see how everyone would react when times got hard and that's usually the side you don't see until the season starts. Getting to see the team chemistry when there is a challenge is beneficial to us and brings our team closer together. We were also put in teams with players we would not usually talk to, so it put us out of our comfort zone having to rely on others we're not used to, bringing us closer together."Y'all wear heart rate monitors and Coach Ford has said yours is the most stable. How do you stay so calm by never being too high or too low?
"I would say it's a combination of everything that I have been through. I am a sixth-year, I've been at two different schools and have experienced a lot of different things. At this point, situations don't come much as a shock. My first five years prepared me and allowed me to be where I am today."Did it shock anyone on the team to see that you always have such a low heart rate, even during pressure moments?
"I think it took everyone getting to know me when I first got here. I have a real dry sense of humor. I will say stuff and my face won't change which makes others question whether I am joking or not. I think after everyone got to know me better, my heart rate didn't come much as a shock, I am very consistent with how I am and who I am as a person."What are your goals for the team this season?
"Going into the softball season, my goal for this team would definitely be to host a regional or super regional and pack Davis Diamond."As an individual player, what are some aspects of your game that you feel you could improve on?
"On the field, I could improve my consistency and location a bit better. Being more assertive, after redshirting twice I felt like a freshman both years and not having a voice. Now I'm a sixth-year, so there is no excuse for not being more of a leader. I feel like I could also improve on standing up and speaking up more often, rather than just sit back and observe."Do you have any hobbies outside of softball?
"I'm not sure if it's a hobby, but I do coach softball. I love to read, and I spend a lot of time doing that. My family has a hunting lease down south where we go for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also like to do artsy stuff, like calligraphy and painting, although it isn't great."What is your favorite place to eat at in Aggieland?
"I love Sushi Masa, I am a big sushi girl. Even though it's expensive, it's all you can eat. Which sounds pretty gross, but I really like it. Emily Leavitt and I go on little pitcher dates there. We put down a lot of sushi, so that is my favorite place.If you were stuck on a deserted island for the next 100 days, what three things would you bring with you?
"I have two sisters, so I don't know if you will count them as one or two items, but I am going to bring them because I know they will entertain me. They might be stuck with me on an island, but we can entertain each other. My middle sister is a mechanical engineer so she can probably set us up pretty well on the island. I'd say we'd be living in luxury with her around. I would also bring something to start a fire because I wouldn't want to get after it with two sticks. Lastly, I would have to have a fishing pole."What did you get your bachelor's degree in and what are you working on for your master's?
"I finished with a degree in finance and a minor in economics. This year I am doing a leadership certificate since the transfer rules made things funny. While I'm a graduate assistant for two years after this season, I will get my master's in sports management."What are your plans for after Texas A&M?
"I would love to coach. I think being a graduate assistant under coach Ford and also playing for Jamie Trachsel at Ole Miss and Patty Gasso at Oklahoma, that I would be able to get some good connections in the coaching world. I'm really hopeful to go far with that as a career. If I got into coaching and hated it, I still have finance, economics, and sports management to rely on to be a sports agent and help female athletes. Women sports are really taking off and people are realizing that we are fun to watch. I want to help out as a way to represent those ladies."
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballMississippi State Postgame: Trisha Ford, Mya Perez, Paislie Allen
Sunday, April 19
Highlights: A&M 10, Mississippi State 9
Sunday, April 19
Mississippi State Postgame: Trisha Ford, Sydney Lessentine
Saturday, April 18
Highlights: A&M 4, Mississippi State 0
Saturday, April 18
