Razorback commit Easton Swofford ready to make major impact
BEE BRANCH, Ark. (BVM) — High school athletes strive to be recognized for their accomplishments in hopes of furthering their athletic careers all the time. And it doesn’t matter if that recognition comes from play on the field or rankings. One player who doesn’t worry about the rankings and lets his play do the talking is Easton Swofford.
“We’re taught at a young age they [rankings] don’t really matter in the end,” Swofford said. “It’s really nice to see a high ranking, but in the end, it’s all about who can get to the league, not about what you were ranked in high school. Once you step foot on campus or once you get into the minor leagues, no one is going to remember that, nor do they [really] care.”
Swofford first stepped onto a baseball field when he was only a few years old. But thanks to his dad’s encouragement, his love for baseball grew at an exponential rate.
“He played slow-pitch softball forever and played college baseball as well,” Swofford said of his dad. “I grew up around the sport, and at a few years old, I was playing it, and I loved it. I think at 4; I told my dad I wanted to play professional baseball when I grew up. That really never changed. I’ve never had second thoughts [about that].”
With his career path set in his mind, Swofford set out to play college baseball. With plenty of offers to choose from, Swofford’s dream was becoming a reality. But there was only one school Swofford wanted to play for: the Arkansas Razorbacks.
— easton swofford (@EastonSwofford) August 19, 2018
“That was my first offer,” Swofford said. “I never really had a thought I would play anywhere else. The only reason I wouldn’t play there is if they didn’t want me to play there. It was always where I wanted to [play]. I grew up always wanting to play for them.”
With his dreams of suiting up in the cardinal and white, what should Razorback fans expect from a player like Swofford?
“They’re going to see a leader who really cares about his teammates,” Swofford said. “[They’ll see] a guy who is passionate about the game that doesn’t really try to do much and doesn’t get caught up in the hype of rankings or Twitter. Just go out and do the best you can to win baseball games.”
Before Swofford would become a top recruit for the Razorbacks, Swofford suited up for the South Side Hornets. And with the Hornets, Swofford and his teammates would have a special time he’d never forget.
“You grow up with them [teammates], and those are your best friends,” Swofford said. “And we talked about it in fourth or fifth grade; when we get to high school, we’re going to win a state championship. We worked toward that goal and worked hard [at it]. I wouldn’t trade the last four years for anything.”
Along with his teammates, one individual helped Swofford become the person and player he is today. That’s former Southside coach Jeffery Liggin.
“I played for Coach Liggin freshman through junior year,” Swofford said. “And he had a really big impact on me mentally and showed me how to really handle myself on the field. And he was a real leader. I really appreciated him and looked up to him a lot.”
He had such a profound impact on Swofford that Swofford went on to have an outstanding senior campaign. Swofford batted .506, hit 12 home runs, and had 38 RBIs. He also had an OPS of 1.689.
While being a threat at the plate, Swofford also helped the Hornets from the mound. In 20 innings of work, he struck out 40 batters.
However, Swofford’s successful career with the Hornets has ended. While at Bee Branch, his experiences have been nothing but great. The sport is something that Swofford will hold near and dear to his heart for a long time.
“It means a lot more than just the actual game,” Swofford said. “I’ve met a lot of friends that I consider brothers.” “Without baseball, I wouldn’t have half the friends I do now, and I’m really appreciative that I got to meet those guys. It’s a little bit more than baseball.”
There are still obstacles that Swofford faces. But whatever comes to pass for Swofford, one better believe Swofford will be ready to give it his all for the Razorbacks and the fans in Fayetteville.
“Wherever it [baseball] leads me, I’m going to be happy that I got to do everything I got to do. And I’ll do my best to stay around the game for as long as possible.”
“We don’t have a whole lot of kids like Easton out there in the country,” Bee Branch head baseball coach Lance Hulse said. “Him going to work out on his own has made him what he is today.”
2022 @ARPROSPECTS @MidsouthSpects @RazorbackBSB MI @EastonSwofford 3-4 with three 💣’s,5 rbis, two walks. Currently at 11 HR’s this spring. #ProspectsPlayHere @PG_Scouting @PBR_Arkansas pic.twitter.com/xAdw8jtMIv
— Andy Menard (@arprospectcoach) May 7, 2022
