It has been well-documented that Hamilton High is in pursuit of its seventh state baseball championship. Starting the season with a record of 11-3 and being ranked second in the state, it’s safe to say that Hamilton is off to a promising start.

A big contributor to Hamilton’s early success is senior outfielder Easton Erwin. This is not limited to his productivity, but rather his positive influence on the team both on and off the field.

The New Mexico State commit takes pride in being an upbeat clubhouse presence that can lift his teammates’ spirits. Erwin also relies on his speed around the field as a kickstarter for an energetic momentum shift.

“This offseason I really worked on growing to be that mojo guy that gets the team energetic,” Erwin said. “Energy can spark the motivation for anyone on the field.”

Speed is one of the main focal points that the 5-foot-8 Erwin worked on in the 2018 offseason. There’s no denying that once Erwin -- or “Big E” as his teammates call him -- gets on base there is a shift in the team’s electricity.

“Size is irrelevant to me and my teammates like to say I play like I’m 6-foot-5,” Erwin said. “That’s why they call me ‘Big E.’”

Lifelong friend of Erwin and Hamilton’s second baseman, Brandon Hill, called Erwin “the most well-rounded guy on the team.”

“He plays with tons of intensity every pitch,” Hill said.

Hill was not alone his praise for Erwin’s on-field production. Right-handed pitcher and fellow outfielder J.D. McGlaughlin referenced how Erwin can almost always be seen making an “insane play” thanks to his speed.

While Hill and McGlaughlin both said they respect Erwin as a player, the pair believes that Erwin’s most significant impact resides in who he is off the field.

“Being around Easton you get accustomed to his work ethic and positivity and it really makes you a better person just being around him,” McGlauglin said. “It really drives the team.”

Whether it’s in the clubhouse or away from the field, it’s nearly impossible to see Erwin without a smile on his face and a radiant attitude that affects everyone around him.

“He’s all about positive energy and picking each other up because he understands that baseball is a game of failure -- he knows that’s part of the game and that’s how he combats it -- that’s how he is a great teammate to all of us,” Hill said.

When Erwin is not speeding around the bases or hanging out with his teammates, he can be found in the weightroom or at the movies with his friends and family.

“It just keeps me calm and sets my mind to bliss,” Erwin said.

Among some of Erwin’s favorite movies are classics “Bull Durham” and “The Sandlot.” Erwin is an avid fan of both 80s movies and music. He will often cruise around in his 2013 Dodge Charger -- that he continues to work on -- and blast 80s music.

“I was exposed to a lot of stuff from the 80s when I was younger,” Erwin explained. “My mother was always playing stuff like Journey and Michael Jackson and that’s really resonated with me throughout life.”

Once Erwin moves on to New Mexico State, he will be leaving behind his lifelong friend Hill, along with their daily tradition.

“After practice or any school event we’ll go out to eat afterwards,” Hill said.

The main hangout for Hill and Erwin comes in the form of a taco shop called Papa Chevo’s, which is not too far from Hamilton.

“I think that’s when him and I get to bond the most -- just eating food and hanging out,” Hill said. “I’m going to miss his sense of humor and the memories we’ve made together.”

As the sun begins to set on Erwin’s career as a Hamilton Husky, he admits the feeling is very “surreal.”

“Helping my team try to win a state championship has helped those feelings settle,” Erwin said. “I think that’s important because this game is hard to play with too much emotion and you have to take yourself out of that mindset for a second.”

Before Erwin moves on to pursue a career in baseball at the collegiate level, he intends to participate in summer ball to prepare himself for his stint as a New Mexico State Aggie.

“I want to make sure I’m where I need to be physically and mentally for when I get there because I want to have the best shot at playing my first year,” Erwin said.