Oran's Campbell will play baseball at Southeast

Oran High School senior Kody Campbell said he has been a fan of Southeast Missouri State baseball for more than half of his young life.

"I've been going to watch their games since I was 7 or 8 years old," Campbell said.

Beginning next season, Campbell will be able to follow Southeast baseball from a different perspective -- as a member of the team.

Campbell, among the area's premier players, will join the Redhawks next year.

He will be what is referred to as a preferred walk-on because he will be attending Southeast on an academic scholarship.

But Campbell was recruited by Southeast and would have received some sort of athletic scholarship.

It's just that he is such a strong student -- he scored a 31 on the ACT -- that his full-ride academically is worth more than what Southeast could have offered him athletically.

The bottom line is that Campbell is assured a spot on the Redhawks' roster.

"I'm really excited," said Campbell, a starter for the Eagles since his freshman season. "My goal since I was little was to play college baseball, hopefully Division I.

"And to be able to play so close to home is great."

Campbell leads perennial state power Oran (21-4) with a .538 batting average heading into today's sectional game against visiting Cooter (21-2).

Campbell also has a team-high 43 runs scored while leading the Eagles in doubles with 12. He has six home runs, 30 RBIs and 14 stolen bases while being caught just once.

Defensively, Campbell has played a variety of positions for the Eagles this season -- including second base, first base and catcher -- and he has played everywhere on the infield during his high school career.

"He's a really versatile player," Oran coach Mitch Wood said. "He's just a good all-around player and a great student.

"He's got a good head on his shoulders, and I think he will make a real good player at that level."

Campbell said Southeast began recruiting him fairly hard this year.

"Things just fell into place," he said. "They said they'd be glad to have me, and I couldn't say yes fast enough."

As for what position he might play for the Redhawks, Campbell isn't sure. He said he doesn't mind where he winds up.

"Wherever they want me to play is fine," he said. "Wherever I can help out."

Since Campbell did not sign a letter of intent because he is not receiving any athletic aid, he technically is still a recruitable athlete, meaning Southeast coach Mark Hogan is prohibited by NCAA regulations from commenting on Campbell.

Dooley to FVCC

Steven Dooley, another Oran senior, recently signed a letter of intent with Florissant Valley Community College in suburban St. Louis.

Dooley has a 5-0 pitching record with an ERA under 2.00. Offensively, he is batting .380.

"I think he'll do real well for them," Wood said. "He's been a very good player for us."