Earlham College | News from Public Affairs

Eric Sturgeon completes his collegiate athletics career on April 27 as the Earlham baseball team hosts Wabash at McBride Stadium.

RICHMOND, Ind. — Senior Eric Sturgeon has been everywhere on the baseball field during his four years at Earlham College.

Serving as a team captain this season, the Logansport, Ind., native has played all nine positions in his career, after starting a game at first base this week. "Eric gives a great effort anywhere on the field, no matter where it has been," Earlham Interim Head Baseball Coach Joe Rodden said.

Sturgeon's versatility has impressed his coach. "Eric is such a solid ball player," Rodden said. "You can tell he learned the game by growing up in a good high school program. Eric conducts himself like a ballplayer, and he leads more with his actions than words."

During his time at Earlham, the education major has been an important part of the baseball and football programs. "I saw the opportunity to play four more years," Sturgeon said of his decision to come to Richmond. "It was important for me to do both sports. With the experience of the family atmosphere and camaraderie, it has created lifetime memories and something I'm glad I pursued."

As a starting linebacker for the Earlham football team, Sturgeon was second on the team with 4 1/2 quarterback sacks and was fifth in tackles. But it's baseball where Sturgeon has garnered the most notoriety. "It's gone by so fast and hasn't really set in yet that this weekend will be my final games at Earlham," Sturgeon said.

Sturgeon is pleased with his part of the resurgence of the program that has won the most games in a season since the Quakers had 13 victories in 1995. "I want to help in anyway possible," he said. "It makes me feel good that my teammates come to me for help."

Update:
Sturgeon became Earlham's all-time hits leader with a double against Wabash on April 26, and he finished his collegiate career with 154 hits. Sturgeon also set Earlham career records in batting average at .368 and doubles with 31.

Among the top hitters in the nation in 2007, Sturgeon led the North Coast Athletic Conference in batting with an Earlham season record .464 average. As a result of that performance, he was named to the All-NCAC Second Team.

In his career, Sturgeon was selected as the team's Newcomer of the Year as a third baseman/pitcher in 2005. Last season, he was named the Earlham's Most Valuable Player. This week, he tied Steve Pearson (2001-04) for the all-time hits record at Earlham (since 1974) with 149.

Earlham College senior baseball player Eric Sturgeon makes a silent gesture at the plate for his friend C.J. Roland.

Each time Sturgeon prepares to enter the batter's box, he scribbles in the dirt. "It's a habit to do it every time," he said. "I think when I play slow pitch softball some day, I'll probably do it."

It's not that different from many other things players do as they step to the plate. "There are all kinds of routines," Rodden said. "I didn't think anything of it the first time I saw it last year."

Rodden soon learned of the meaning of Sturgeon's actions. "It's something truly significant to him," he said. "It's a sincere gesture on his part and a very personal thing for him."

For Sturgeon it is a way to honor a hero. The summer prior to his arrival at Earlham, Sturgeon, and his father Wes, were coaching a 10-year old baseball team. C.J. Roland was a player who was never late or missed a game or practice. "He was a great kid that we loved to coach and we didn't know why he wasn't at practice," Sturgeon said.

Roland suffered a broken neck in automobile accident that day. "C.J. can not play contact sports again," Sturgeon said. "I put his initials in the dirt to say I'm thankful to be able to play sports. I started doing it my first year during football and continued it into baseball."

During the rehabilitation process, Roland wrote about his hero, Eric Sturgeon, in a school assignment. "He wrote about me," Sturgeon said. "After what he has been through, he's my hero. I admire him for what he's been through and that he keeps fighting."

"It feels like he is there with me because I know he would want to be in the batter's box," Sturgeon added. "I tell myself, he can't do this, but you can. It reminds me that baseball is just a game."

That perspective hits Sturgeon this weekend as he wears an Earlham uniform for the final time during Sunday's doubleheader against Wabash College on Senior Day at McBride Stadium. "When a coach says something about playing a game like it is your last time, it definitely puts a new meaning into it because of my experience with C.J.," he said. "You never know what is going to happen."

Contact:
Don Tincher, sports information director
765/983-1795 — E-Mail Don