Grady Harrell is a senior on the Penn Baseball and Hockey team who recently committed to Eastern Illinois
Why did you choose Eastern Illinois?: I chose Eastern Illinois because I really liked the coaching staff, the campus, and the fact that it’s a winning baseball program. I felt like it was a place where I could develop as a player, compete at the Division I level, and have an opportunity to make an impact and reach the next level.
How has Penn Baseball helped develop your skills to play at the collegiate level?: Penn Baseball has helped me a ton. Playing against really good competition and being part of a program with high expectations has pushed me to improve every year. It has taught me how to compete, handle pressure, and play the game the right way.
What’s the challenge of playing both hockey and baseball?: The biggest challenge is managing my time between both sports, school, and getting in the weight room. Both sports take a lot of commitment, so I have to stay on top of my schoolwork while still finding time to lift, practice, and train for baseball and hockey.
How does hockey help you with baseball?: Hockey helps me with my athleticism, explosiveness, balance, core strength, and competitiveness. It’s also a really fast game, so you have to react quickly and make decisions under pressure, which carries over to baseball.
What do you love about both sports?: I love competing and being part of a team and hanging out with my buddies. Baseball has always been the sport I want to play at the next level, but hockey gives me a different type of competition and energy that I really enjoy. I’ve played both for a long time, so they’ve both been a big part of my life.
How have your coaches and teammates helped you improve?: My coaches and teammates have always pushed me to get better. Coach Dikos has had a huge impact on me as a baseball player and has helped me grow both physically and mentally. He holds me to a high standard and is always pushing me to improve and become a better player. My teammates have also helped by making practices competitive and pushing each other every day.
