LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Greenbrier East pitcher/shortstop Darris Boswell is typically the center of attention.
The fun-loving, wild personality that Boswell displays can be infectious for his Spartan baseball teammates, which can help ease their minds in tense situations, and sometimes, help them play better.
His batting intro song, 1987’s “Older Women” by Ronnie McDowell, tells you all you need to know about the atmosphere that Bowell can create at Spartan Yards.
But Boswell is more than just the life of the party, he is also a talented player that East relies on in many ways to help them pile up wins throughout the season.
For the past couple years, including this one, Boswell has been stellar. He led the Spartans last season as a junior with a .317 batting average, 33 hits, two triples and 21 RBIs, and put his name on the map for the baseball team. This season, he is picking up where he left off. He is hitting .475 with seven doubles and 16 RBIs and has scored 21 runs.
Although the Spartans have had their ups and downs so far, Boswell is still focused on his main goal and taking his younger fans into consideration when stepping on the field.
“My personal goals this season are to leave with a bang and leave a good influence on younger guys in the program and on little leaguers that look up to me. And as for team goals, I’d like to shock the world and make a run for states,” Boswell said.
For everything to go the way it was intended, the senior has to make sure he gets to the field before a game and goes through his regular routine or else he will not feel like he is ready to go.
“My pregame routine is I’ll get to the field and then do some band work to get loose,” Boswell said.
Then, as a team we will do dynamic warmup and throw, and then after, I’ll go to the dugout and sit by myself and I clear my mind and pray to get my mind right,” he continued.
One thing he knows in his mind that is right all the time, is his time in the green and gold, and how it has helped mold him into the players and person he is today.
“My time in the Greenbrier East baseball program has meant so much to me. If it wasn’t for the program, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” he stated.
Every player seems to have a great appreciation for their family and the impact they have on the player’s career and their life in general, and for Boswell, that is no different.
“My family has impacted my life in a way words can’t explain. My parents go above and beyond to help provide me with opportunities that they never had, and there’s something to be said for that. I also can’t remember a time when there wasn’t one of my parents at my games supporting me. And they are amazing Godly examples to me, the rest of my family, and everyone they talk to. I’m beyond thankful and blessed for everything they do,” Boswell explained.
And the same can be said for the Spartan coaches, as Boswell explains that every single one of them has helped him down his chosen path.
“Every coach on the staff and that has been on the staff throughout my high school years have had such a huge impact on me. They are big on throwing strikes so every time I warm up or pitch in a game, I pick a small spot on my catcher or throwing partner and try to hit it. They’re also big on character and body language. Be the guy who is cheering people on after striking out and be the guy who has high energy when stuff isn’t going your way,” he said.
When Boswell crosses the stage in early June, he will look back on his time as a Spartan fondly, and he already realizes how quickly things can end.
“It’s gone by so fast,” Boswell said.
“It’s hard to believe this is my last season,” he concluded.
Boswell plans to attend MACU to play baseball (with current teammate Henry Goodwin) and major in business management.
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