Brookhaven Academy senior Caston Thompson and Brookhaven High senior Maney Miller will be teammates this time next year as both recently signed to continue their respective baseball careers at Pearl River Community College.

Thompson is a 6-foot-3 southpaw that can pitch and play in the infield. He struck out 71 in 54.1 innings last season. He was 6-2 as a junior for Brookhaven Academy coach Caleb Upton on the mound.

At the plate, Thompson hit .346 with 22 RBIs, seven doubles and four home runs. He was picked for the Daily Leader All-Area team and was an MAIS All-State selection last season.

“Caston was targeted early on in the process for us,” said Pearl River coach Michael Avalon. “His strength and physicality is something that was impressive immediately. He will have a legitimate chance to step in and help as a hitter and on the mound. Maybe more impressive than his physical ability is the person that he is. A young man that comes from a good family and possess the intangibles that you look for in a good player.”

Pearl River has one local product on its current pitching staff as left-hander Byrion Robinson of BHS will be a redshirt-freshman for the Wildcats. Robinson was 1-1 on the mound last season before suffering a season ending injury.

Miller struck out 96 in 49 innings last season as a pitcher for Brookhaven High head coach Matt White. He struck out a season high 17 in a complete game win over Warren Central to start the season and 11 in a playoff loss at Pearl River Central to end his junior year.

At the plate, Miller drove in 10 runs and hit .315 for BHS last season. He was a Daily Leader All-Area and all-region selection as a junior.

“It’s been a real joy to watch Maney grow and mature over the last four years,” said White. “He came in as a 5-foot-7, 120-pound freshman and started competing against older guys from day one for us. He’s 6-foot and 155-pounds now and has really embraced his role as a leader for our team. His fastball is sitting in the mid to high 80s and his curveball is what sets him apart. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do on the collegiate level.”