Kirk Jennings, (center) a senior at Thomas Dale, signs a letter of intent to play baseball at UVA Wise next year. Looking on is UVA Wise assistant baseball coach Josh Scarbrough, Thomas Dale baseball coach Chris Marshall and Kirk’s parents, Wayne and Cindy Jennings. Jennings is a pitcher, first baseman and designated hitter for Thomas Dale.

The baseball season at Thomas Dale may have just started, but senior Kirk Jennings already has his eye on next year. On Thursday, April 10, Jennings signed a letter of intent to attend and play baseball at UVA Wise, receiving a 50 percent athletic and academic scholarship.

“It’s a great feeling,” says Jennings. “I’ve been stressing all year about it, so knowing that I am going to be playing baseball next year is like a weight lifting off of my shoulders.”

A pitcher, first baseman, and designated hitter, Jennings has been playing baseball from the time he was five years old. Since then, he has put up impressive numbers for Thomas Dale. After playing seven games this year, he currently holds a .400 batting average with one home run and six RBIs. On the mound, he has been equally impressive, holding a 3-0 record with a 1.1 ERA. Though he has already been an imposing force at Thomas Dale, he’s looking forward to attending UVA Wise to help strengthen his skills.

“I hope that I get a good amount of playing time and that I am able to get stronger and faster,” says Jennings. “I just want to continuously get better so that I can hopefully get into a starting position.”

UVA Wise first scouted Jennings during Thomas Dale’s first game of the season against Varina. Impressed by Jennings’ performance during Thomas Dale’s 7-6 win over Varina, scouts told Jennings to take a trip out to the school.

“We visited UVA Wise on March 29 and 30 and I got to practice with the team. It just felt like the right place for me to play,” says Jennings.

The baseball program wasn’t the only part of UVA Wise that impressed Jennings. With only 2,000 undergraduates, the college has a small student population, fewer than the number of students at Thomas Dale.

“I loved the small school atmosphere,” says Jennings. “It’s smaller than my high school, so I know that I won’t be just another face in the crowd.”

Currently holding a 4.26 GPA and 28th in his class of 524, Jennings looks to major in education, eventually obtaining his Master’s degree and hoping to teach and coach high school students.

“This is a great opportunity for Kirk,” says Wayne Jennings, Kirk’s father. “We think that it is great that he is able to go there and fulfill his dreams. We just wish that it was a little bit closer so that we could see more games, but we are happy for him.”

While Jennings is excited to begin his college baseball career, he’s not quite ready to leave Thomas Dale just yet.

“I’ve developed a leadership role since starting here and I hope that continues throughout the rest of the season,” says Jennings. “It’s going to be hard leaving here; I’m really going to miss it. I just want to finish this year with a District Championship.”

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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