Kirk Jennings (center) is pictured left to right with Thomas Dale coach Christopher Marshall, U.Va-Wise assistant coach Josh Scarbrough and his parents.
by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
Thomas Dale's
Kirk Jennings made it official Thursday by singing his scholarship to play baseball next year at the University of Virginia's College at Wise.
The senior pitcher currently has a record of 3-0 and a 1.25 ERA for the
Knights.
Jennings also plays first base and will DH. He is batting .360 with a home run, seven RBI and six runs scored.
"It's a great feeling, I feel like a weight has been lifted off me just because I have been stressing all year," Jennings said. "It's just good to finally know I am going to be playing next year. It definitely takes a lot of stress off."
Thomas Dale coach
Christopher Marshall has been very pleased with Jennings' performance so far this season.
"I didn't know what I'd get from him," Marshall said. "He has really come through big for us. He is a senior leader for us and is a big presence on the mound and with the bat."
The recruiting process began earlier this season after Jennings pitched well against Varina.
"It started out when U.Va.-Wise came to my first game against Varina and I had a good pitching performance," Jennings said. "They talked to me then and then a couple of weeks later I went down to Wise and worked out with the team and visited the campus and I really thought it was the place form me. Then they called with the offer and I was ready to jump at it."
Jennings also excels in the classroom and U.Va-Wise assistant coach
Josh Scarbrough said that the admissions office loves when he brings players with grades like Jennings.
School work will remain a top priority for Jennings in college.
"Academically I want to major in education and become a teacher," Jennings said. "I just want to continue to keep my grades good and just be able to play baseball."
COMMITMENT/SIGNING LIST
BASEBALL
Tadd Bower, Cosby (William & Mary)
Jake Lowery, Cosby (James Madison)
Daniel Marrs, James River (Wake Forest)
Ronnie Shaban, Cosby (Virginia Tech)
Austin Stadler, James River (Wake Forest)
Kirk Jennings, Thomas Dale (U.Va.-Wise)
BOYS BASKETBALL
Andre Williamson, Prince George, F (Appalachian State)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Brooke Long, Mills Godwin, G (Longwood)
Deja Middleton, Meadowbrook, C (Radford)
Emari Ready, Monacan, PG (Lees-McRae)
Rachel Robinson, Monacan, F (George Mason)
FOOTBALL
Deep Run
Derek Jackson, LB (Purdue)
Dinwiddie
Dequan Coles, WR (The Citadel)
Henrico
Steve Bunce, DE (Norfolk State)
Hermitage
Dominique Booker, ATH (Towson)
Justin Carr, CB (Towson)
Ju-Ju Clayton, QB (Virginia Tech)
Jamel Davis, DE (Coastal Carolina)
Terrell Lynch, DT (VMI)
Justin White, RB (Shepherd)
Highland Springs
Marcus Burley, CB (Delaware)
Harry Lee Daniel, WR (Richmond)
Antoine Hopkins, DE (Virginia Tech)
Matthew Hurdle, QB (Kent State)
J.J. Spates, RB (Chowan)
Rod Wheeler, TE (Virginia)
John Marshall
Jalal Gee, OL (Hampton)
L.C. Bird
Kendrick McClary, L.C. Bird (Norfolk State)
Manchester
Cameron Jude, DE (Michigan State)
Ryan Jude, DE (Kent State)
Ryan Bouldin, RB (Chowan)
Brandon Harrington, OL (Virginia State)
Matoaca
Brett Diamond, LB (California of Pennsylvania)
Steven Landen, OL (California of Pennsylvania)
Meadowbrook
Bryant Frazier, LB (Florida A&M)
Aaron Lewis, WR (VMI)
Michael Williams, LB (Youngstown State)
Monacan
Justin Gilbert, OL (Maryland)
Patrick Henry
Theo Duncan, OL (Norfolk State)
Thomas Dale
Ryan "Chili" Davis, CB (Campbell)
Thomas Jefferson
Eric Thornton, DT (Virginia State)
Varina
Willie Moseley, DE/LB (Buffalo)
Justin Thorpe, QB (James Madison)
BOYS SOCCER
Ben Anderson, Atlee (William & Mary)
Chris Mamoine, Atlee (VCU)
Brian Ownby, Deep Run (Virginia)
GIRLS SOCCER
Kristin Lescalleet, Atlee, F (Richmond)
SOFTBALL
Whitney Haller, Cosby, P (Longwood)
BOYS TRACK
Adam Taylor, Lee-Davis (Virginia)
Jason Witt, Midlothian (BYU)
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Alyssa Foster, Mills Godwin (VCU)
Alyssa Lang, Deep Run (UMBC)
Katelyn Meeks, Mills Godwin (Radford)