LAKE HAMILTON, Ark. — Some people were born to play baseball, and the fact is right there on Lake Hamilton pitcher Easton Hurley's birth certificate.
“I’m named after the bat company,” Hurley said. “I’ve been playing baseball since I could walk. My dad was a baseball coach, and it’s just stuck with me.”
At Lake Hamilton, Easton branched out, finding success on the football field and basketball court as well. It’s what Lake Hamilton baseball coach Matthew Weigand loves to see.
“Easton, to me, is what high school sports is all about," Weigand said. "I think you should play what you want to play.”
But while leading the Wolves at quarterback to start his senior season, Easton tore his ACL.
“My heart was broken for him,” Weigand said. ‘He missed half his senior football season and basketball season.”
Hurley said recovering from the injury has been an obstacle, but he hasn't felt alone.
“It’s been tough,” Hurley said. “I’ve had a great supporting cast.”
But Easton fought through it to get on the field for his senior baseball season.
“It was a mental grind," Weigand said. "I’m just thankful to be here now... I knew he’d be back. He was going to find a way to play his senior year.”
At first, Hurley was only cleared to pitch, which he did magnificently, tossing multiple complete games and keeping his era under one. Within the last month, he was finally able to be a complete player.
“I was just cleared to hit two weeks ago,” Hurley said.
Weigand is excited to have the multi-sport athlete back in the batter's box.
“First game cleared to hit, and he had two hits, but that’s just Easton,” Weigand said.
Easton helped lead the Wolves to a program-record 22 wins and the first conference title in 14 years. Next is the state tournament, and then Easton is off to play at Southern Arkansas University.
“I’m going to hate to see him go," Weigand said. “These boys have done some special things, but I don’t think they’re done yet.”
Lake Hamilton heads to Harrison for the Class 5A state tournament, where they’ll face Mountain Home in the first round on Thursday at 10 a.m. Central.