Brendan Lister sees baseball for what it is. Not an activity, but work. Rather than look away, he faces each day head-on.
The first baseman, wearing No. 35 for the Mustangs, has quietly become one of the team’s most important pieces this season, not just because of his production, but because of how he approaches the game.
Lister leads the team in both RBIs (41) and home runs (9), while hitting .346 with a .459 on-base percentage and a strong .623 slugging percentage. Los Medanos College sits at 25-11 on the season and is riding a nine-game win streak as their numbers shine across key areas. A collective .339 batting average and 365 runs scored highlight the team’s success, much of it field by Lister’s consistency.
Yet, it’s his thinking that sets him apart.
“I balance baseball, school, and life by accepting that I have to do these things no matter how tired I am,” Lister said. “So I can reach my goals.”
Most days start early and fill quickly with drills and workouts. Games stretch into the evening, pushing schoolwork later into the night. Between practice and studying, hours pass without much rest. That discipline didn’t come from nowhere. He credits his father as the biggest influence on his work ethic.
“The best advice he’s given me is that it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” Lister said.
Baseball is built on failure. Lister understands that. Still. When things go wrong, he doesn’t crack. Instead he’s calm. His balance holds, even when results don’t come. That quiet strength keeps others grounded too.
“I take pride in being a good teammate at all times,” he said. “Baseball is such a negative game when it comes to results, so I like to talk to my teammates whenever I see them struggling.”
Out of nowhere, showing up matters when months pile on. Though 36 games sit behind them, what stretches forward weighs heavy too. Instead of raw skill alone, steady minds and bodies start making an impact.
Pressure doesn’t shake him. Late innings, tight score, he remains composed at the plate. When a crucial at-bat comes, his approach doesn’t change.
“If I’m in a big situation, I try to relax myself by controlling my breathing,” he said. “I also talk to myself on deck to understand the situation.”
Away from the diamond, Lister finds balance by working out with friends. This time takes him outside the usual routine, though it quietly feeds his performance too.
Still, Lister measures success beyond statistics.
“A goal I set outside of stats is to enjoy the time I’m having with my teammates,” he said.
When wins come often, that mindset makes sense. Lister doesn’t chase the spotlight. He focuses on doing what’s needed, showing up, staying steady and stepping up when it matters most. Right now, LMC needs just that.
