Dowell works way into big season

 

At first glance, Easton Dowell is an unassuming college infielder, much like the team he plays for.

A bit undersized, the redshirt sophomore can be easily overlooked, also like the team he plays for.

Just like his team, his looks are deceiving.

Dowell is more than making his presence felt. Like the McNeese Cowboys, he has helped them to a surprising 23-5 record. That is a surprise to us, not them.

“We thought we would be pretty good in the fall,” said Dowell. “We knew how hard we were working and how we were coming together.”

Hard work is what the 5-foot-11 Dowell attributes to his success this season. The redshirt sophomore has won the starting shortstop job for the Cowboys.

This is after hitting .260 in 41 games last season and starting 36. That came after injuries helped him miss his first year with the Cowboys.

“What he has been able to do is a little different,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “Easton is a guy with talent; he has been through it and stayed with us. He didn’t run to the next place when things didn’t go right.”

Dowel was a two-time All-Stater at Gregory Portland High School in Aransas Pass, Texas. He was a Texas Tech commit before enrolling at McNeese.

Still, he wasn’t an instant success with the Cowboys. He had to earn his spot, even entering this season.

“I’ve worked my whole life to get this everyday job,” said Dowell. “What matters to me is to be out there playing.”

He has more than left his mark. Dowell enters tonight’s game at Houston leading the Southland Conference in batting with a .424 average. He is 39-for-92 with five home runs and 25 runs batted in, though power is not his forte.

And Dowell has been hot lately. He has an 8-game hitting streak and is 16-for-32 (.500) in that stretch.

“I’m not a big guy, so I don’t go out there thinking of doing damage,” Dowell said. “I have a little pop so I can hit one out now and then on accident.”

Dowell has a knack for coming up with the big hit for McNeese. He has walked games off with hits twice this season, the first time on a home run.

Last Sunday, his double scored Larry Edwards from first with one out in the bottom of the ninth, beating New Orleans 3-2 and giving McNeese a series sweep.

“I love the moment,” said Dowell. “It’s what you would call a good selfishness. I want to be in that moment every time. 

“When my spot comes up, everything slows down. I just want to put a good swing on it and hope good things happen.”

Good things happen for the Cowboys when Dowell is in the game. It doesn’t matter where he’s playing either, at least not to him.

“You can put me behind the fence on the left; I’ll play anywhere,” said Dowell. “As long as I’m in the lineup, I’m good.”

It seems like a sure bet that Dowell will be in the lineup a lot for the Cowboys.