Dalton Penick '22 Recruiting Profile

It is my goal to play baseball at the college level and once you get to know me, you’ll find out that I reach my goals by turning OBSTACLES into OPPORTUNITIES. I’ve seen that transformation happen several times since I first picked up a baseball so many years ago.

As a left-handed player in youth league, I noticed that volunteer coaches would often be at a loss at how to teach certain skills to a left-handed player who was just learning the game. Rather than throwing in the towel after seeing the challenge facing coaches and the possible difficulties I would face, I decided I would practice endlessly, seek out coaches who could help me, and master each of those skills in a way that felt right to me. That work through my younger years paid off, when as a left-handed pitcher in high school, I ended my junior season with my name in the books as the pitcher with the 5th highest number of strikeouts in the state!  That left arm was not only a challenge for those inexperienced coaches in my early years but it proved to be problem for each of those opposing batters that added to my strikeout tally. Turning obstacles into opportunities…

I’ve lived in Trimble County my whole life. This small rural county has little industry, one stop light, and a junior-senior high school building that could be doubled in size and still not match up with many around the state. Coming from a small school district with an even smaller athletic program may look like a huge obstacle to some. We hear a lot about how someone from a school my size could not make it big. However, I took the grit I developed in this small district, a strong work ethic, and athletic drive with me as I strengthened my baseball skills on travel teams that allowed me to showcase the pitching skills you will want on your team.  I found out that it is not the size of the school district that controls the outcome. It’s the size of your determination.  Turning obstacles into opportunities…

I could give more examples, but you get the idea. The next obstacle I see, now that I’m a senior, is to find that college team that is ready for this left-handed pitcher. Once again, turning obstacles into opportunities…