How this Erickson adds to the family baseball lore at Chatham Glenwood

The Erickson name is synonymous with baseball in the Springfield area.

That prominence may weigh heavily on some, but not Chatham Glenwood senior Cru Erickson. He embraces it.

“It’s just such an honor playing in the family name like the Ericksons,” Erickson said. “Most people think it’s a lot of pressure for me, but I think of it as a good thing. I wear the Erickson proudly and I just want to follow in their footsteps.”

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Rich family history

A cache of Ericksons have taken a crack at the professional ranks, including Erickson’s dad, Corey, and uncle, Casey.

Both were heralded as Central State Eight Conference players of the year before going through the minors for at least several seasons.

Corey won the distinction at Lanphier in 1995 against a loaded slate of candidates. That included Glenwood’s Adam Feld, who proceeded to win the award the following year.

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Casey achieved the honor twice at Glenwood in 2003 and 2004 before becoming the head coach of the Titans.

It’s something not lost on Cru.

“It’s nice to have them all around me just pushing me and being my mentors,” Cru said.

Even his grandfather’s name graces the home field: Bob Erickson, who still acts as the groundskeeper. Bob and his brother, Roger, both played professionally.

“Every once in a while before a game, Bob comes around on a Gator and talks about what I’m going to try to do on the day as far as at the plate,” Cru said. “He always tells me, three hits. That’s my goal every time — try to get three hits.”

He doesn’t see Roger as much. He lives in Florida, but he did catch Cru at a summer tournament in Georgia not too long ago.

Roger pitched in the big leagues from 1978-83 with Minnesota and the New York Yankees. There’s also Don Erickson stretching further back. Don played in the majors with Philadelphia in the 1950s.

“He just popped up at a game and it was really cool because I hadn’t seen him for a long time,” Cru said of Roger. “I happened to be pitching that game and he was a pitcher in the majors, so it was nice to learn a little bit from him.”

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Cru routinely talks baseball with Corey and Casey, but that positive mindset may be a credit to his mom, Carlie.

Cru said Carlie is a baseball fan just as much as the rest, but “most importantly, she just wants me and my brother (Brody) to have fun.”

That mentality also breeds success.

“I think the big thing about baseball is just enjoying it,” Cru said. “If you enjoy the game, you’re more likely to have success. If you go back to the dugout after your first strikeout and you’re just moping around with your head down, you’re probably going to do it again.

“But if you keep your spirits high and figure out what you did wrong, you’ll have a better chance at your next at-bat.”

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Lefties with pop

Cru transferred to Glenwood his sophomore year. He initially went to Springfield High like his older brother, Brody, who won the Class 3A state title with the Senators in 2021.

Cru has certainly carved out his own success with the Titans.

Both he and fellow classmate Krayton Reincke flourished offensively last season and were named all-Central State Eight Conference.

They could be described as a two-headed monster.

“We’ve been getting it done this year,” Erickson said after clinching a second straight outright CS8 title. “We have other guys stepping up to get on base for us, so it’s been nice.”

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Cru summoned a .452 batting average with 38 hits, 26 RBIs and 32 runs, while Reincke carried a .484 average with 45 hits, 31 RBIs, 31 runs and three home runs last season.

“We relied on them a lot last year at the plate,” Casey said. “They both were very good in the lineup and swung the bat really for us. Most of the time last year if they went, we did too.”

They are among a left-handed bulwark that also includes Joe Anderson and Cam Appenzeller, who committed to the University of South Carolina as a left-handed pitcher in October and has furnished a 0.37 ERA with 74 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 38 1/3 innings so far this season.

Cru has also sizzled at the plate ahead of Saturday’s Class 3A home regional final against Mount Zion. He has a robust .452 average. That includes a prodigious 50 hits, 36 RBIs and 28 runs.

He will resume baseball at Lincoln Land Community College.

“I said to the coaches a few weeks ago, I’ve really enjoyed coaching Cru this year and I’m going to miss him when it’s over, so hopefully we can keep playing for a while,” Casey said.

Reincke, who will play at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona, is also getting back into a groove. He is currently hitting .333 with 27 hits, 25 RBIs and 24 runs.

Both Erickson (four) and Reincke (three) have combined for seven home runs this spring.

“I’ve kind of started off slower than I did last year,” Reincke said. “Last year was a big year for me, but it feels good to finally see the ball again. It’s a good feeling going into the postseason and the rest of the guys are seeing it pretty well also. That’s just good to feel.

“I just got in the cage and started to see the ball again — fundamentals and just getting back at it.”

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Chatham Glenwood baseball boasts pop with Cru Erickson, Krayton Reincke