Sapulpa’s Jensen Penn
Baseball players are a unique breed. Some may even say they are the most superstitious group of all athletes. For players like Jensen Penn of Sapulpa High School, it’s hard work that propels him past the superstitions and into a place where he can focus on the task at hand.
Now a sophomore, Penn started playing the game of baseball at the age of three. His work ethic has helped him become one of the standout pitchers in the class.
“My strength of my skill set is my ability to throw three good pitches for strikes and control the running game well with my pickoff move. My velocity on the mound has improved 4-5 mph since last season,” said Penn.
But with any baseball team, it’s your teammates that make playing the game worth it. Penn said there are many reasons why he loves being part of the Sapulpa family.
“ ”“A teammate that has impressed me this season is freshman Brayden Andrews, he can play like most freshmen can’t. Copper Merritt keeps us laughing because he always comes up with a joke, and Tyler Sparks is the most serious, he’s also a funny teammate, but when it comes to gametime he is serious,” Penn said. “SHS is a great place for a student-athlete because at our baseball program we have great coaches that care about our progression, and we are building a new school as well as a new baseball field.”
The goal for this season is to host a regional, something Penn feels the team can accomplish. Where they go from there is up to them.
Penn said his best way to prepare for competition is with his confidence in his play.
“I mentally prepare myself for competition by being confident in myself and doing the things I need before the game to prepare myself,” said Penn.
The sophomore said his coaches and teammates inspire him. “I love that my teammates are not selfish and hold each other accountable,” Penn said. “Our pitching coach, Riley Tincher, inspires me on and off the field, because he is such a hard-working coach that would do anything for our team.”
As his career moves forward, the wins and accolades will follow. Going 7-1 as a freshman is something Penn is proud of, but he’s far from done.
“My goal for life after high school is to eventually go D1 and get drafted,” said Penn.
