SW duo Pennington, Davis each sign a NLI

By RUDY COGGINS
Assistant Editor

DUDLEY – Bullpen mates Will Pennington and Alex Davis each enjoyed a solid senior season on the baseball diamond this spring.

The duo helped lead Southern Wayne to 13 wins and a postseason appearance for the first time since 2014.

And not surprisingly, the two extended their respective baseball careers last Wednesday afternoon.

Pennington inked a national letter-of-intent with the University of Mount Olive, while Davis signed with perennial JUCO power Lenoir Community College.

“I really like the coaching staff, thought it was the best place for me to continue my baseball career and academics,” said Davis, who intends to study criminal justice. “It’s a good program. I know they were ranked this past year in the top 25 a couple of times.”

Recruited as a two-way player, Davis hopes to throw a few innings and play in the outfield. 

The right-hander used a four-seam and two-seam fastball, slider, curve and change-up to keep opposing batters guessing in the box this past spring. He compiled a 3-0 record and 2.86 earned run average (ERA), and collected 24 strikeouts in 22 innings.

Offensively, Davis batted .264 with 19 hits and 14 RBI.

“I give it my best every time I go out there,” Davis said. “I always give 100 percent, never going to slack (off). I always want to help everyone out.”

Pennington followed the advice of current UMO head coach Rob Watt, who encouraged him to increase his velocity, work hard and have a good senior year.

Working as the Saints’ “Tuesday” starter throughout the season, Pennington consistency threw strikes and stayed ahead of batters in the count. He fashioned a 5-5 record and team-best 1.71 ERA in 12 appearances. 

Pennington sat down 78 batters on strikeouts and yielded 14 earned runs 57.1 innings. Opposing teams hit .198 against him.

“We had good team chemistry and I had confidence in my teammates behind me making plays,” said Pennington, who plans to pursue a degree in business.

UMO finished 34-20 and advanced to the Conference Carolinas tournament championship game this season. Watt lost several quality pitchers to graduation, but returns a nucleus that got playing time in mid-week and lopsided contests.

Pennington is eager to join the mix.

“It’s a pitcher’s ballpark,” Pennington said of spacious Scarborough Field, home of the Trojans. “I feel like whenever my name is called, I can go out there, get some outs and do whatever my role calls for.”