Mirin Fader of the Orange County Register focused on sophomore right-hander Colton Eastman. The Fresno, Calif. native was named a Freshman All-American last year and enters his sophomore season poised to do big things once again for Cal State Fullerton.
By Mirin Fader | Read the Full Story
"What's up, big time!" said John Gavin, junior southpaw, nodding to Colton Eastman.
Eastman, a sophomore right-hander, named to USA Baseball's preseason Golden Spikes Award watch list, shrugged his shoulders. He offered a quiet smile, the same steely stare he exhibits on the mound for the No. 7 Cal State Fullerton Titans (4-3).
It was about 6:30 p.m. Practice had just ended. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Fresno native sat in the dugout at Goodwin Field, his back pressed against the bright-orange paint displaying the program's national crowns: 1979, 1984, 1995, 2004.
He clasped his hands together, revealing two names tattooed in cursive on each of his forearms: Shawn William Eastman on his right, Jenny Christina Eastman on his left — his parents.
Those arms helped him record an 8-3 record last season, earn the 2016 Louisville Slugger Freshman Pitcher of the Year and help the Titans win the Big West Conference crown.
The tattoos remind him that his parents gave him his arms, his hands, his fingers; they sacrificed so he could throw.
"I haven't done half of what they have," said Eastman, who was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-American Second Team, the publication Collegiate Baseball's Preseason All-American second team and the website DI Baseball's Preseason All-American Third Team.
His eyes began to water, so he pulled his head back, as the brim of his navy cap hit the wall. He wouldn't let a tear drop. He doesn't let his emotions get the best of him — not on the mound, not off of it.
"Without them," Eastman said of his parents, "I wouldn't be here right now."
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