Easton Oliverson was set to play for the Snow Canyon Little League team before he suffered a fractured skull. The 12-year-old, who was put in a medically induced coma, is conscious and speaking after suffering a head injury.
Oliverson fell off his bunk bed in a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, dorm room ahead of the Little League World Series and had to be airlifted to a children’s hospital, where he underwent surgery.
“He went through pretty traumatic surgery to get to where he’s at, but the doctors are all really positive,” Oliverson’s uncle Spencer Beck told Alex Vejar of the Salt Lake Tribune. “All of the steps moving forward have been good so far.”
A video was posted to a family Instagram page to show everyone the progress that Oliverson is making.
Oliverson’s father, Jace, said doctors diagnosed the Little Leaguer with a punctured artery that caused bleeding in his brain and required a piece of his skull to be removed.
“We are astonished by his strength and willingness to try new things,” the post said via ESPN. “He has been communicating more frequently with his Mom, Dad, and uncles who have been at the hospital with him. His voice has been significantly more clear when he talks! He asked Nancy about his hair, and why he was there.”
Easton’s favorite player, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts, sent Easton a video supporting him in his recovery.
Snow Canyon is set to kick off its LLWS schedule Friday against the winner of Wednesday’s Southeast vs. New England matchup.
