Working fast and throwing strikes is just the way Issaquah Eagles pitcher Brady Liddle operates on the hill when the baseball is in his grasp.

Liddle, who was the Issaquah Eagles ace right-handed pitcher as a junior during the 2019 season, announced on Twitter on July 26 that he will play college baseball at Seattle University when the 2021 season commences. Liddle will be a senior during the 2020 season with the Eagles.

“It’s an awesome feeling, playing baseball after high school has always been a goal of mine and being able to do that at a Division 1 level is a dream come true,” Liddle said.

Issaquah Eagles head baseball coach Rob Reese knew Liddle would be something special during his freshman season in 2017.

“He is such hard worker and competitor. He just keeps getting better and better. We’ve seen it since he was in the ninth grade that he was going to be one of our top guys (pitchers). It was just a matter of learning a couple of more pitches and throwing strikes. He’s earned what he is getting (playing Division-1 baseball), that is for sure,” Reese said.

Liddle doesn’t waste any time between pitches. The old-school approach exuded by Liddle brings a smile to baseball traditionalists.

“He likes to get up there and throw strikes. It does a lot for our defense. He is definitely a quick worker and doesn’t like to waste too much time,” Reese said.

Liddle’s best pitch remains his fastball (85-86 mph range) but it isn’t the only tool in the shed.

“He’s developed a pretty good slider and a decent change-up. Those are still works in progress but he relies a lot on his fastball,” Reese said.

Liddle loves having the ball in his hand in pressure situations on the rubber.

“There is no better feeling. Every pitch depends on you. You are in control of the game,” Liddle said this past April. “You just got to attack every hitter, get ahead in the count and you got to get people out. I just pound the (strike) zone. If they hit, they hit it. I just want to throw up as many zeros as I can on the scoreboard.”

Liddle earned second-team, all-league 4A KingCo honors as starting pitcher as a junior during the 2019 season. Reese expects more of the same from Liddle in the spring of 2020.

“Our expectations are for him to be our ace and do all the things he’s done before. He is going to lead the group and lead by example,” Reese said.