Rhett Pennington

Eastern has been knocking on the door of a sectional championship for the last couple of seasons, getting close, but not able to get over the hump. With the core of their team returning they were geared up to take another stab at winning another sectional title, but they derailed once again. 

Rhett Pennington was one of two seniors on the roster, and has been a three year starter at pitcher and other positions around the diamond. He said his initial reaction to the season being canceled was not of surprise, but still said he was hurt. “I felt we had it coming from the beginning and it was no surprise but it still hurt to come to the realization that it was canceled.”

After the news broke of the canceled season Pennington said he was hoping for just one more chance to step on the field. “Nothing would have been better to have at least one more practice, one more game, or one more postseason. It hurts but I’m coping with it and I want to keep a positive attitude.”

Pennington was hoping to have the season to get better for college but also make a run in the post season as well. “I really wanted to strive for an all-state qualifier and become better for the college level, and for the team I was expecting a run in the postseason and get the sectional.”

If he could go back and do anything different this time around Pennington admitted that he would have changed how he approached the off-season. “I would have changed the way I approached the off-season and times when I could’ve gotten better, I wish I could’ve gotten those times back.” 

Since the season has ended Pennington has kept in contact with his fellow senior and close friend Landon Snelling. He said they have both kept in touch and talked about how they are dealing with this tough situation. They are trying to keep it positive he said. 

Looking back on his playing career Penningotn said one of his fondest memories was from his sophomore year when Eastern advanced to the sectional championship by beating the reigning 1A state champs. “My sophomore year, sectional semifinal game against Lanesville, we walked them off to go to the sectional final. That was special.”

As high school baseball is left behind college baseball will be in Pennington’s future. He said isn’t decided on a school for sure, but said he wants to play baseball wherever he goes. “I hope to go to USI or Greenville to pursue kinesiology or exercise science and become an athletic trainer. At either one of those schools, I wish to continue my baseball career”