Easton Carmichael (Oklahoma) took the same walk to the batter’s box he’s made thousands of times in his life. His eyes darted around the infield to see a teammate standing at each base. Moments later, that traditional walk turned into a home run trot and a first-time event for one of the Cape League’s most dominant hitters.
Carmichael hunted a fastball and got one on the first pitch of the at-bat from left-hander Justin LeGuernic (Clemson). The All-American right-handed hitter received a fastball grooved over the heart of the plate and deposited it over the wall in right-center field for not only the first home run of his Cape League career but the first grand slam of his life.
“Obviously, to get the first one out of the way is awesome,” Carmichael said. “Honestly, thinking back to it, I think it might be my first ever, it was pretty cool. Right when I came in, I was trying to think, ‘I don't think I've done that in college,' and then I was like, 'I don't think I've done that ever.’”
Carmichael’s opposite-field blast propelled the Red Sox's lead to 8-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning and gave Y-D its most runs in one inning this season with six. The Big 12 leader in hits has picked up where he left off with the Sooners, has a hit in five straight games and is a central cog to the Red Sox's 6-2 start.
The 2024 All-Big 12 First Team selection who hit .366 in his sophomore season at Oklahoma has become one of the most consistent hitters on the Cape; placing first in doubles, second in OPS and third in batting average, on-base percentage and hits.
His offensive onslaught comes with a simplistic yet effective approach of being present in each moment and realizing the importance of “taking it one pitch at a time.” Amid playing against the “toughest competition in the country,” Carmichael acknowledged that he has an unwavering trust in his approach that’s allowed him to hit .417 with a 1.241 OPS in the first eight games.
“I’m just confident in who I am and what I do,” Carmichael said. “I always go back to one pitch at a time. If you take it one pitch at a time, you can’t control what's already happened, whatever happens is gonna happen, and if you just control what you can control, everything will go smoothly.”
Carmichael plays the game with an infectious energy and a lively personality that’s made him a fan favorite at Red Wilson Field and a leader in the dugout. He’s in the midst of his first summer ball experience after not playing a year ago and has played as a seasoned veteran during his first full week on the Cape.
Wehiwa Aloy (Arkansas) recognized Carmichael’s ability to drive the ball as a powerful gap-to-gap hitter after Y-D’s 8-1 win over the back-to-back CCBL champion Bourne Braves. Aloy is in the middle of a four-game hitting streak himself, sits fourth in the league with eight RBI and started the scoring in the second with a solo home run.
“Easton’s a dude, for sure,” Aloy said. “He’s just been piecing up balls and they’ve been going.”
Aloy and Carmichael have been the engine behind Y-D’s resurgence offensively and the catalyst for explosions like the one in the sixth on Sunday night. Carmichael and Aloy have similar mentalities, with the latter saying he’s been playing loose and attacking pitches in “advantage counts” with the mentality of looking to drive the ball hard.
Playing with that carefree mentality has been the calling card for Carmichael, who’s been a mainstay in the middle of the Red Sox lineup. Despite the pressure of those moments like the seconds before the grand slam, Carmichael isn’t worried about the future. He’s staying present and punishing opposing pitchers.
“I don't take myself too seriously,” Carmichael said. “I just have fun and just enjoy the moment and enjoy being up here. I try to take in as much of the scenery as I can.”
Photo by Sophie Solarino
