Induction Graduation Sport Type

2017 2010 Baseball Athlete

A 2010 graduate of Rye Neck, Ryan Pennell’s athletic career was a stellar one.  A member of the varsity basketball team for four years, Ryan was an immediate contributor to the program.  His size and quickness made him an offensive threat, but the well-rounded post player was also impressive on defense, rebounding and defending the basket down low. He was an all-league starter all four of his high school years.

Ryan’s feats on the hardwood were only surpassed by his presence on the baseball diamond.  A true force on the mound, he led his team to many victories.  He ended his career with a 21-6 record on the mound, including a junior season when he went 9-0 with a .44 ERA.  That season Ryan set the school and section 1 record for strikeouts with 136, including a 21 strikeout performance against rival Blind Brook.  He also recorded 4 no-hitters that year, and batted .471, while leading his team to the sectional semi-finals.

His accolades are impressive - All-League 4 years, All-Section 3 years and All-State in his junior and senior year.  He participated in the East Coast Pro Invitational in 2009, and was a Rawlings USA Top 200 High School Player and Rawlings All-Region player that same year.

Ryan’s successful high school career earned him a Division I scholarship to Elon University. At Elon, Ryan was as successful in the classroom as on the field being named to the dean’s list and president’s list and Academic All-Southern Conference team.  On the mound, Ryan played an important role as a relief pitcher being placed on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year watch list.  A highlight of his college career, Ryan was the winning pitcher in a 5-4 NCAA Regional victory over UNC Wilmington after tossing 2 scoreless innings.

In 2014, Ryan was drafted in the 22nd round by the Tampa Bay Rays. After a short stint in the minor leagues, including a spot on the Hudson Valley Renegades, Ryan now works for the Tampa Bay Rays as the Video Coordinator of Baseball Operations.