Semoball Awards: Kennett's Reese Robinett named Baseball Athlete of the Year

Reese Robinett is presented with the Baseball Athlete of the Year award by Southeast Missourian sports editor J.C. Reeves at the ninth annual Semoball Awards in Cape Girardeau, Friday, July 8, 2022.

Photo by India Hampton

University of Arkansas baseball signee Reese Robinett has secured his place in the Kennett baseball history books more than once throughout his career, and to close the cover on his time with the Indians he took home the Baseball Athlete of the Year award for the second year in a row at the ninth annual Semoball Awards last Friday in Cape Girardeau.

“There were some great guys on that list,” Robinett said, “and in my head I was like, 'Man, this is going to be tough.' But then they called my name and I was so excited. I just want to thank God, my coaches, my teammates, my family and friends.”

With Robinett on the roster the Indians baseball team grasped their first MSHSAA Class 4 State Championship his junior year and took third place in the Class 4 State Tournament his senior year with a season record of 26-5.

His accomplishments on the diamond are countless – notably he earned Class 4 All-State honors and was named SEMO Conference Player of the Year.

Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the Semoball Awards, the area’s premier awards show recognizing student-athletes and coaches in Southeast Missouri.

Robinett said it's all about the work you're willing to put into it: “It's just hard work and dedication. In the off season I was going to the gym almost every day after school, taking ground balls and reps, hitting, and just working hard.”

“Hard work and dedication,” a common phrase stated and restated by many Kennett Semoball Award winners, is, of course, a generalization – there's much more to it than that, but at the base level the mentality goes a long way. And it's that mentality that Kennett coaches across the board work to ingrain in their players, including baseball Coach Aaron New.

“Kennett baseball is extremely proud of all the hard work that Reese has put in the last four years for our program,” New said. “He has meant a lot for program, both on and off the field, and he's very deserving of this award.”

Kennett's Reese Robinett high fives coach Aaron New as he rounds third after hitting a home run during the Class 4 Quarterfinal against Affton on Friday, May 27, 2022 in St. Louis, Mo.

File photo: Robert Augsdorfer/DAR

Robinett found himself in a position in which he knew that he'd continue playing long after his high school career drew to an end, as he signed with Arkansas before his junior year. Although he's ready for the next chapter, that didn't mean it wasn't bittersweet nonetheless.

“It was tough since it was my last game at Kennett, but I'm glad we went out with a win,” Robinett said. “Even though it wasn't first place I can say my last game as a Kennett Indian was a win.”

Robinett's not done with baseball in the Mid-South just yet – he's gearing up to take on the state tournament next week in the American Legion Baseball league for the Arkansas Sticks.

“I just hope I can keep playing the game as long as I can,” Robinett said. “I want to keep succeeding and having fun.”