PENNINGTON OPTS FOR SOUTHEAST'S BASEBALL PROGRAM

The chance to play college baseball for a program that is coming off a championship season was what ultimately lured Todd Pennington to Southeast Missouri State University.

Pennington, a recent Shawnee (Ill.) High graduate who is one of the top players for Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team, this week signed a letter of intent with Southeast.

Pennington, a hard-throwing pitcher and hard-hitting batter, was also recruited by Southern Illinois and Murray State. But he really liked what he saw from the 1998 Indians, who won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship and qualified for the NCAA Midwest Regional.

"I considered all three schools, but after the season was over I figured SEMO had the best team and the best place for me to go," he said. "I got to see them play some (this year) and I liked their program and the coaches.

"I'm pretty excited about going there. It's close to home and it's a good baseball school. I've had a pretty good idea I'd be going there for a while."

Pennington had a brilliant career at Shawnee, earning all-conference and all-Southern Illinois honors in a senior season that saw him bat .478 with eight home runs. He had an 8-2 pitching record in helping lead Shawnee to a regional title.

Southeast coach Mark Hogan, even though his team lost just one senior this year, said the strapping Pennington is somebody who can compete for playing time as a freshman.

"He's a tremendous player," said Hogan. "We feel like he's got a chance to be a big-time pitcher but he can also swing the bat. He projects very well because he's got good size and he's an extremely tough competitor."

Pennington no doubt likes that kind of talk because he wants to be a factor during his rookie season at Southeast.

"Hopefully I'll be able to help out next year," he said.

Pennington, who is undecided on a major, said playing college baseball has been a goal of his for some time. He'd also like to some day play in the professional ranks, but he's not going to bank on it.

"I've wanted to play in college all along," he said. "If pro ball happens, it happens. It's always a goal, but I'm not counting on it. I mainly just want to play (at Southeast) and get an education."