YOUNGSTOWN, Oh. (EYT/D9) – Representing a bird has always been the word from Travis Perry as he’s transitioned from state champion baseball player for the Rocky Grove Orioles to a flame-throwing righty for the Youngstown State Penguins.
(Photos courtesy of Youngstown State Athletics)
The Oil City, Pennsylvania native did not only star on the baseball diamond as a high schooler, but also as a hooper and on the range over his four years at Rocky Grove High. In all, he graduated with eight varsity letters across three sports and even surpassed 1,000 points on the hardwood in the same game as fellow D10 product, Turner Kurt.
There were some basketball programs interested in his services, but the Venango County native has known for a long time that baseball was the sport he could not depart with. “I did play three sports in high school, but I would go to golf or basketball practice and then hit or throw that day also to get ready for baseball.”
During his high school days, Perry played in the Youngstown B Baseball League which ultimately was a key factor in his deciding to continue his playing career there. He had gotten acquainted with many of his college teammates prior to signing with the Penguins which also played a key role in choosing YSU.
“I felt going there allowed me to have the early opportunity to make a difference for the team. The school only being an hour and 15 minutes away which could allow my family to see me playing at home pretty easily was also another factor I considered. My grandparents and my parents are my biggest fans and I am glad they can get to see me play pretty close to home.”
In 2018, Perry was ranked the 24th best prospect in the state of Pennsylvania and the 9th best pitcher in the class. He was also named a two-time District 10 Player of the Year and was tabbed as a 2017 Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention. He also made school history as a part of a PIAA Class AA State Championship in baseball his senior year, the first state title for the program in school history. The Orioles did so in class AA while only having the enrollment of an A school. Moving up to the AA classification did not seem to matter as the Orioles used strong starting pitching to cap a magical 2018 season.
“I think about that run and think back to the North Catholic game right off the bat because I started and then my brother (Scott) came in for relief for the last out. We were up 2-1 and there was a ball hit to right field and one of my closest friends made a game-saving diving catch to send us to the state title game. I am just so thankful to have played with all my buddies and all of the relationships I have formed from the game over the years.”
Since coming to Youngstown State, he has earned a Penguin Club Athletic Scholarship and also has shown improvement in his velocity on the bump over his career. He felt he had his best summer of baseball this past summer as he played in a collegiate baseball league in Kansas called the Sunflower Collegiate League. In this league, he represented the Hutchinson Monarchs and hit .308 at the plate after not hitting much over the last three years. On the hill, he stood out as well with 34 strikeouts in 26 ⅔ innings pitched over six games. He’s hoping to carry his play over into his fourth season of college baseball and with now flirting with the mid 90’s on the radar gun, it can be hoped hitters have an even harder time hitting the 6’7” right hander.
In order to become the athlete and ball player he is today, Perry credits a collection of people including coach Bill Wilson and his parents Teresa and Craig Perry. His father is a former Edinboro Fighting Scots baseball player and has spent a lot of time helping each of his sons find a passion for the game of baseball like he did.
“My dad was my only pitching coach until I got to college,” he said. “He is the person who got me to where I am today. I also have to credit my mom because she has done so much behind the scenes with figuring out where I could train, anything I needed to figure out for college or traveling, and just all around being such a kind person. She is the ultimate baseball mom.”
Perry also made sure to mention his grandparents because they have sacrificed plenty of time driving him to baseball games in Youngstown over the years and have not missed too many of his games throughout his days as an athlete.
When not spending his time on the diamond, Perry can be found watching the Pittsburgh Pirates on occasion and lists Tyler Glasnow, Gerritt Cole, and Mike Trout as his favorite players in the big leagues today. He also likes to watch his cousin Andrew Wantz who is a relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. Perry is also an outdoorsman and is an avid hunter with experience in duck, goose, and deer. He has a golden retriever that accompanies him on many of his hunts in addition to his lifelong best friend, his brother Scott.
“We are only 16 months apart and we have had some amazing times together. He is an avid fisherman and has even participated in tournaments and was named a Co-Angler of the Year for the club that he fishes in.”
The Rocky Grove High graduate is majoring in geography with a minor in environmental studies. He hopes to continue playing baseball for many years to come, but his interest in the outdoors is apparent with becoming a game warden as something he lists as an ideal career for him post his days as an athlete.
Travis Perry serves as yet another example of someone showing us all that being from a small town does not have to define how large our dreams are. He may be a small town, country kid at heart, but he has found his way to the monster that is Division I baseball. With two years of eligibility left, Perry is hopeful his ride is far from over in the game of baseball.
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