{"id":11522760,"date":"2025-06-25T06:00:47","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11522760"},"modified":"2025-06-25T09:53:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:53:14","slug":"carroll-county-baseball-player-of-the-year-liberty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/06\/25\/carroll-county-baseball-player-of-the-year-liberty\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberty’s Carter Shanks, Logan Garey top All-Carroll County baseball team"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, Carter Shanks had a front-row seat to what a Player of the Year campaign looked like, watching his Liberty teammate Nate Martin earn the award.<\/p>\n

This year, Shanks put together one of his own.<\/p>\n

The junior batted .423 with four home runs, a team-high 23 RBIs and a .846 slugging percentage. He contributed on both sides of the ball \u2014 delivering consistent production at the plate, playing dependable defense at third base, even pitching in key moments as a reliable arm on the staff for the county champions.<\/p>\n

For his efforts, Liberty\u2019s Carter Shanks has been named the 2025 Carroll County Times baseball Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s such a competitive kid,\u201d Liberty coach Travis Inch said. \u201cWe\u2019re all about pushing our players to be their best and he thrives with that kind of philosophy. He puts in a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shanks is the fourth consecutive Liberty player to earn the award, following Martin, Cam Hodges and Joe Glass from a program known for inheriting and developing top-level talent in the area. Though he often flashed his potential, Shanks feels it was his increased confidence that helped him elevate his game this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year [as a sophomore on varsity], it was a whole new level so it was hard for me to step up and be a leader at times,\u201d Shanks said. \u201cThis year, I just went out there, and it was easier to play and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the season progressed, Shanks became one of the most productive hitters in the county, constantly delivering for the Lions in high-pressure situations. His season was highlighted by a stretch where he homered in three straight games.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has such a quick bat,\u201d Inch said. \u201cWhen you combine that with his approach at the plate, he was able to put everything together and make a real impact for us all year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shanks drew praise not only for his offensive numbers but also for his presence in the dugout and on the field. With a roster littered with youth, he helped set the tone for a group that rallied to bring another county title to Liberty, the program\u2019s fifth straight county title (third straight outright).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a really young team this year, so we focused on encouraging each other and staying connected,\u201d Shanks said. \u201cI found my confidence this season, and I want that to carry over to my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Liberty
Carter Shanks was an on the field and off the field leader for a Liberty team that won its fifth straight county championship. "I found my confidence this season, and I want that to carry over to my teammates," he said. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond his work at the plate, Shanks pitched in high-leverage situations and anchored the infield at third base. Inch didn\u2019t hesitate to trust him in critical spots.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe expects to win, and that mindset fits perfectly with what we try to build here,\u201d Inch said. \u201cHe wants to be the best, and that shows up on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Martin graduating, Shanks takes on a new role for the upcoming season: no longer chasing the standard, but setting it. No longer chasing awards, but rather looking over his shoulder as countywide foes, and even his own teammates attempt to dethrone him.<\/p>\n

Despite the season being over and summer ball underway, Shanks is already thinking about how to improve for 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, I want to win,\u201d he said. \u201cThis year was a lot of fun, but next year, we want to take it even further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Liberty
Liberty pitcher Logan Geary is the 2025 Carroll County Times baseball Pitcher of the Year. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Logan Garey named Pitcher of the Year<\/h4>\n

One look at Liberty\u2019s Logan Garey and you might think he\u2019s unfamiliar with stress. He often appears calm and carefree, like nothing can shake him. But beneath that composed exterior is a fierce competitor \u2014 focused, relentless and ready to make an impact every time he takes the mound.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was relaxed and determined from Day 1 this year,\u201d Inch said. \u201cBut at the same time, he wanted to dominate and when his number was called, he did just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garey went 5-0 on the mound for the county champion Lions, finishing the season with a 2.43 ERA and 50 strikeouts. For his efforts, he has been named the 2025 Carroll County Pitcher of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew this was something in reach for me going into the season if I played up to what I knew I was capable of,\u201d Garey said. \u201cI\u2019m really proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the start, Inch viewed Garey as a key part of the Lions’ rotation \u2014 a steadying force capable of shutting down any lineup. Geary\u2019s talent made him a ideal fit, but it was his mindset that took himself, and the Lions to the next level.<\/p>\n