Peyton Hodges hopes to develop as player, businessman at Kenyon College

While most children were busy with screens and games, Peyton Hodges was already showing signs of a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

That’s why it made perfect sense when the East Prairie senior selected Kenyon College and its strong academic prestige as the destination where he would continue his education and athletic journey.

“It just felt like a family there when I visited,” Hodges said. “There’s a great environment around the entire program with coaches and players, and it felt like a place that I could succeed at further on in life.

Peyton Hodges throws a pitch during East Prairie's five-inning 11-1 win over New Madrid County Central in a semifinal of the MSHSAA Class 3 District Tournament at Malden High School on Monday, May 16. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“I wanted to prepare for life after baseball,” he said. “And to go to a school where if baseball didn’t work out, I would still be set up for success with the academic quality that they have.”

When Hodges, who plans to major in business or economics, was eight years old he started a wood carving business in hopes of earning enough to purchase some popular headphones.

“When I was little I always wanted money to get the latest iPod or whatever it was,” he said. “I started this crafting business with these wood projects. I’d cut them, paint them and sell them with different themes like pumpkins for Halloween. I even went to a craft fair in Cape [Girardeau].

Peyton Hodges throws a pitch in East Prairie's 7-2 win over Kelly at H.A. Jones Park in East Prairie on Thursday, March 24. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“I did that for about two years,” he continued. “I did it as much as could, and it was just something fun.”

Hodges started and ran a couple more endeavors over the years, and while the experiences started as a fun way to earn some extra funds, they also helped shape the path he wanted to take in the future.

“My dream job would be working for myself,” he said. “I’d like to run my own business. I’ve always wanted to have the financial freedom to be able to see the world and do things like that, and I think that would help set me up.”

James and Peyton Hodges stand for a photo after East Prairie's 10-4 win over Charleston in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Championship at Malden High School on May 17. (Submitted)

Hodges first learned of Kenyon College while attending a Headfirst Honor Roll Baseball Camp in Long Island, New York this past August.

The camps help student-athletes, “That excel in the classroom and on the field determine their college fit that will nurture their talent and allow them to find their future selves,” according to the Headfirst website.

Excelling in the classroom and on the field is something that describes Hodges perfectly. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed pitcher had one of the best seasons in school history last season, helping the Eagles capture their first district title in more than 20 years. He recorded 109 total strikeouts, with a 7-3 overall record and a 1.75 ERA. Hodges earned all-state honors both athletically and academically while maintaining a GPA over 4.0 and scoring a 32 on the America College Test (ACT).

Portageville's Carson Bradley (left) and Beau Hunter-Warren (right) show off some of the artwork of Peyton Hodges' (middle) first business endeavor. (Submitted)

“I was extremely proud as a parent and coach on my son’s signing day,” said Hodge’s father and East Prairie assistant coach James Hodges. “A lot of time and work has been put into this. Peyton has been a go-getter since he was little. I would take him to work with his pitching coach Casey Beis, Midwest Regional Director with the National Pitching Association. As he got older he would work with Mike Anagnostopoulos his fielding and hitting instructor in Poplar Bluff. These men along with coach Mikey [Johnson] and others were instrumental. I quickly learned to wear full catcher’s gear while catching him after he hit me in the shins several times.”

The Kenyon College is located in Gambier, Ohio and the Owls compete at the NCAA Division III level in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and finished last season with a 23-13 mark under head coach Matt Burdette.

Burdette is a four-time NCAC Coach of the Year and has placed 85 players on the All-NCAC teams over his 27-season tenure as head coach.

Burdette has also coached two players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft in Jack Graham (Baltimore in 2012) and Jesse Weiss (Milwaukee in 2013).

“The first thing coach asked me about was my pitching philosophy,” Hodges said. “I talked about how I would throw pitches off-speed in early counts and whatever it may be. He agreed with me and liked my approach. His big belief was not that I had to throw hard to get guys out, but anything I can do to get outs is productive for the team. He said he will work towards my strengths and that was something I liked.”

The Kenyon College Athletic Department has won 62 NCAA national championships, which is the fourth most of all NCAA Divisions.

“I looking forward to meeting new people,” Hodges said. “Some of my future teammates will probably turn into some of my best friends after college. I’m just looking forward to building those relationships and making some lasting friendships.”

However, he’s not looking too far into the future. Hodges said one of the reasons he decided before his senior campaign was because he wanted to play without the stress of the unknown.

“The pressure was always kind of building for me,” Hodges said. “I’ve always wanted to play college sports. It started my junior season when I wasn’t getting a whole lot of attention. Just having my future taken care of will allow me to play more freely. I can just focus on the team and play for them.”

Hodges has high aspirations for the upcoming season and will likely be one of the top players in southeast Missouri.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Peyton,” said East Prairie head baseball coach Gary Scott. “To see someone so committed to reaching their full potential is special. It’s nice to see hard work pay off and for him to get an opportunity to play at the next level. Peyton is one of the most hardworking and respectful players I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach. He is a leader on and off the field. He will be a great addition to Kenyon College.”