Eric Swedberg '02
Eric Swedberg '02
Title: Class of 2007

Eric Swedberg is one of the finest baseball players in the history of the Worcester State College baseball program.  He was a three time All-American in 2000, 2001 and 2002.  He was also the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Player of the Year for those same seasons. During Eric's time with the Lancers, the Lancer nine made the postseason four times in all including three ECAC tournament appearances and the Lancers' first NCAA tournament appearance since the 1983 season. 

Worcester State compiled an 111-46 record with Eric behind the plate at his customary catcher's spot.  Eric ranks as the all-time career bating average leader for Worcester State with a career average of .458 more than 20 points ahead of second place.  He is the only player in Worcester State history to lead the team in batting for three years.  In 2000, he batted .500 which ranks third all-time, in 2001 he batted .462; ninth all-time and in 2002 he posted a .442 mark which is 16th best in Worcester State history. 

Eric led the nation in slugging percentage in 2000 with a mark of 1.068.  Among the other Worcester State records that Eric holds are career: hits, singles in a season with 43, hits in a season with 72, career triples with 13, career homeruns with 46, single season homeruns with 16, single season and career RBI with 70 and 208, respectively. 

A tremendous leader he was also named captain of the team both his junior and senior seasons. The ECAC named him the New England Player of the Year after the 2000 season as he won the MASCASC Triple Crown.  In 2001, he was the New England Baseball Writer's Player of the Year. 

After Eric's senior season, he was bestowed with the MASCAC's highest honor, winning the Howard C. Smith Award as well as being name the Worcester State co-Senior Male Athlete of the Year.  After his Worcester State career he is the only one noted in the Worcester State record books to have played in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball league serving as a catcher and outfielder on the Bourne Braves. 

Eric was also an outstanding student as he was twice selected to the Academic All-American District I team and earned national second team honors his senior year.  Eric is now a school teacher and varsity baseball coach at Auburn High School. 

 It is with great pleasure that we induct Eric Swedberg into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.