Easton Gasner is continuing baseball excellence at Lourdes

May 9—ROCHESTER — The Lourdes baseball team started a new tradition this year, going out to eat breakfast together at the Canadian Honker on Saturday mornings before games.

It was senior outfielder/pitcher Easton Gasner's idea and his teammates were on board immediately.

"It was really nice the first time we did it," said senior centerfielder Nolan Rolih, who will play Division I college baseball at the University of Minnesota in 2027. "We had a really cold game later that day, but the game just didn't feel as cold after having an hour or two with your boys at breakfast. It just felt nice. So we kept doing."

Gasner, one of Lourdes' captains, has been an asset to the Eagles on and off the field for a few years. He continues to reach higher after making the 2025 Post Bulletin All-Area Baseball Team as a junior for what Lourdes head coach Dave Jenson described as his "breakout" season.

He is batting .333 through 14 games with two doubles, 10 RBIs, seven runs scored and is 3-for-3 on stolen-base attempts. On the mound, Gasner holds a 3-2 record and a 2.26 ERA across 31 innings pitched. He has limited opponents to 16 runs — 10 earned — and just three walks, with 28 strikeouts.

Gasner's journey on the diamond began with T-ball when he was 4 years old. He eventually transitioned to the Rochester Youth Baseball Association, competing there until his freshman year, when he earned a spot on the varsity roster.

He's grown a lot since that first varsity season at age 14.

"I think I've learned to hit the ball a little better," Gasner said. "Credit to the coaching staff for that one."

Gasner won't play baseball in college, but plans to attend Creighton University to study neuroscience on a pre-med track. It's a career path he's been interested in for a while, growing up with a nurse for a mom. Even though he won't be continuing his playing career at the next level, Gasner said if a spot opens up to be a manager for the baseball team, he would be interested.

He keeps in touch with 2025 Lourdes graduate and PB Baseball All-Area Player of the Year Nick Bowron, who is a freshman catcher for the Bluejays. Gasner said Bowron is among some of his biggest baseball influences.

"I think past seniors, especially Nick and then Isaac Wenszell, who graduated two years ago," Gasner said. "I really look up to those guys to keep working hard and being my best every day."

It's safe to say baseball has been a true passion for Gasner for nearly 15 years. As he finishes up his senior season, he reflected on his favorite part of the sport.

"Being around the guys, for sure," Gasner said. "I won't remember all the wins and losses, but everything we do together will stick with me."

Rolih grew up playing with some of his teammates, including Gasner.

"We've been playing the guy since we were eight," Rolih said. "So it's pretty special to watch these guys grow up and continue to excel in the sport. And it's sad (to be graduating), but it's also a happy ending. We all get to play the game we love together for one last time. And it's a little bit sad at the same time, knowing that I'll never get to play with some of these guys again."