Easton Phillips is nearing the end of his junior season as a catcher, infielder, and pitcher for the Claremore Zebras, but has definite plans for sticking around for the post-season. 

“Baseball is good right now,” Phillips said. “We are hoping to pull it together here late in the season to win us a state championship this year. Our team goals for this year were to grow as a team and continue to compete day in and day out and bring a state championship back to Claremore. As for my personal goals, I always want to go out there and give it my all when I’m on the field.

“Somedays we can be a really dangerous team when we play our game,” Phillips continued. “And other days we struggle a little bit. I haven’t been hitting as well as I would like to, but I feel like I have really stepped up as a pitcher this year and continued to throw strikes and let my defense go to work behind me.” 

Phillips said his summer plans are to get in the weight room with his dad, who he also said was very influential in his life. 

“My father continues to push me every day,” he said. “He always wants the best for me and continues to work with me on baseball outside of our regular practices. I want to stay working on my hitting in the batting cages and doing my best to stay in good shape for next season.” 

At the end of the day, Phillips said, success on the field isn’t as important as success at being a good person. 

“I want to hold myself to a high standard,” he said. “I want to play the game with class and be a respectable player. Coach Sherl always talks about doing your best on and off the field, and how your actions outside of school can greatly affect your game. People see that we’re respectful, and they are more willing to give back to the great program we have here at Claremore.”