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By RUDY COGGINS
Assistant Editor<\/p>\n
DUDLEY \u2013 Bullpen mates Will Pennington and Alex Davis each enjoyed a solid senior season on the baseball diamond this spring.<\/p>\n
The duo helped lead Southern Wayne to 13 wins and a postseason appearance for the first time since 2014.<\/p>\n
And not surprisingly, the two extended their respective baseball careers last Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Pennington inked a national letter-of-intent with the University of Mount Olive, while Davis signed with perennial JUCO power Lenoir Community College.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like the coaching staff, thought it was the best place for me to continue my baseball career and academics,\u201d said Davis, who intends to study criminal justice. \u201cIt\u2019s a good program. I know they were ranked this past year in the top 25 a couple of times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recruited as a two-way player, Davis hopes to throw a few innings and play in the outfield.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Offensively, Davis batted .264 with 19 hits and 14 RBI.<\/p>\n \u201cI give it my best every time I go out there,\u201d Davis said. \u201cI always give 100 percent, never going to slack (off). I always want to help everyone out.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Working as the Saints\u2019 \u201cTuesday\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pennington sat down 78 batters on strikeouts and yielded 14 earned runs 57.1 innings. Opposing teams hit .198 against him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had good team chemistry and I had confidence in my teammates behind me making plays,\u201d said Pennington, who plans to pursue a degree in business.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Pennington is eager to join the mix.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a pitcher\u2019s ballpark,\u201d Pennington said of spacious Scarborough Field, home of the Trojans. \u201cI feel like whenever my name is called, I can go out there, get some outs and do whatever my role calls for.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n