This is Andrew Erickson
- This Is Rutherford
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Craig and Marie Erickson
Since he was a young boy, recent Rutherford High School graduate Andrew Erickson has been playing baseball. Throughout his high school baseball career, he has broken records and received a lot of recognition in Bergen County and in New Jersey. He was chosen to be part of the First Team All County, NJIC Meadowlands First Team All League, Group 2 All State Second Team, and Northeast All Star Team, named NJIC Player of the Week and National High School Boys Athlete of the Week in April. He was also named one of the Pitchers of the Year by NJ.com. Andrew finished the season with a 1.36 ERA (earned run average) alongside 76 strike-outs and two complete games. His final career stats are 202 strikeouts, 1.23 ERA, and 144 IP (Innings pitched).
TIR: When did you start playing baseball? Did you play any other sports?
Andrew Erickson: I started playing organized baseball when I was 4 years old, however, my parents would always tell me stories of me picking up a little bat and swinging it around when I was even younger than that. Growing up I played a few different sports like basketball and I wrestled up until high school.
TIR: What do you love most about the game of baseball?
AE: The thing I love most about baseball is the understanding of the game. Baseball is truly such a hard game to play but also to understand and you need to understand the game to improve.
TIR: Can you tell us about a memory you have as a young baseball player?
AE: My favorite memory of baseball doesn’t come during a game, practice, or even on a baseball field. It comes from the backyard of my grandparents' house on Post Ave in Lyndhurst. My grandparents had this huge Sweetgum Tree in their backyard and it would drop these sweetgum flowers, they look like a small brown ball with spikes. When I was around 7 years old, my grandfather and I would go in the backyard and collect these flowers and I would grab my 27 inch bat and my grandfather would throw them at me as I would hit them.
TIR: Who have been your mentors?
AE: I’ve had a lot of mentors throughout my career, and I’m grateful for all of them. However, my biggest mentor has always been my father. Without him introducing me to the game he loved growing up, I wouldn’t have any of this. He taught me how to play this beautiful game, but more importantly, he taught me what hard work, sacrifice, and dedication look like. The countless hours we spent driving to and from tournaments, the days he took off work, and the nights he stayed up until 2 a.m. catching up because we were away for baseball never went unnoticed. For everything he has done and continues to do for me, I would have to say my dad has been my biggest mentor.
TIR: You have received so many accolades and awards during this year's high school baseball season. To what do you attribute your success?
AE: I attribute my success to all the coaches that have helped me in my career and my teammates. Without them I wouldn’t be the player I am.
TIR: What can you tell us about the RHS baseball team and the amazing season you all had?
AE: RHS baseball 2026 was my favorite year of my high school career. All the guys seemed to be a group, a true family. It allowed me to have the amount of confidence I had throughout the season. We had a great season, winning the league championship and just falling short in the state playoffs.
TIR: Congratulations on your graduation from Rutherford High School. You've committed to playing baseball at TCNJ this year. What are you most looking forward to as you enter your freshman year at TCNJ?
AE: I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life and seeing where it goes. I am super excited to be apart of TCNJ’s community and I can’t wait to see what it has in store for me.
TIR: Anything else you would like to add?
AE: I just wanted to say thank you again to all my coaches and especially my teammates for making baseball so enjoyable throughout my life so far.