College baseball: Kennett's Heinley inks with SE Oklahoma State

DURANT, Okla. — Kennett High School graduate Payton Heinley had grown accustomed to playing baseball every summer.

However this past summer, Heinley instead spent his time working out at a baseball training facility in Arizona.

The experience helped him get noticed.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University assistant coach Alan Trayler asked Heinley if he needed to spot to play.

And Heinley, a left-handed pitcher, jumped at the opportunity to play for SEOSU, signing with the school on Thursday, July 27.

“The first thing they look at is that he’s a left-handed pitcher,” Three Rivers head coach Tyler Smith said. “That makes him valuable. He can throw four pitches for strikes. He’s effective against left-handed hitters.”

Smith said Heinley also proved he could get right-handed batters out on a consistent basis as well.

“It’s every kid’s dream to play for a four-year level school,” Heinley said. “I’m super excited for this opportunity. I had ups and downs (at Three Rivers), and it was getting to be crunch time for making a decision.”

Heinley appeared in nine games this past season for the Raiders, throwing 16-1/3 innings. He went 1-1 with 26 strikeouts with a 5.51 earned-run average. He also appeared in nine games during his freshman season.

Smith said Heinley made positive strides during his sophomore season.

“He worked hard to be good, and he saw results,” Smith said. “He’ll be hard to replace.”

The Raiders finished with a 26-27 record, swept by Mineral Area College in the Region XVI sub-regional round.

Heinley trained this summer alongside Three Rivers teammate, the Australian Josh McDonald.

“It was different,” Heinley said. “I was able to get into a different environment, and I’m really happy with how everything turned out for me. Hopefully, it (the experience) made me a better player.”

Heinley always had the tools to be successful.

During his senior year, the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association recognized Heinley as a first-team all-state selection.

Teammates Reese Robinett, Bodey Ellis and Brooks Nigut also were honored that year.

Heinley was the SEMO Conference co-pitcher of the year along with teammate Kobe Gates, and he was a first-team all-region and all-conference selection.

Last summer, he played for the Paducah Chiefs semi-pro baseball squad in Kentucky.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Heinley joins a SEOSU squad that finished 28-25 in 2023. The team plays in NCAA Division II.

The Savage Storm lost to Southern Arkansas in a best-of-3 Great American Conference first-round series.

At SEOSU, Heinley reported he plans on enrolling in the school’s recreational sports management program with the hopes of becoming a coach on the college level.

The coaching staff told Heinley the plan is for him to “do a little bit of everything” as part of the pitching staff — which means starting and both short-term and long relief appearances.

Heinley is the son of Brandy and Brice Heinley of Kennett.

Payton’s younger sister, Taylor, is a freshman set to embark on her Kennett athletic career.