E.A. Sports Today

Aiming high

Ohatchee’s Howell, multisport standout, signs to play baseball for Marion Military Institute with an eye toward joining the Air Force

Cover photo: Devin Howell (seated) poses with his dad, Ben Howell (left), and former Ohatchee baseball coach Blake Jennings during Friday’s signing ceremony. (Submitted photo)

By East Alabama Sports Today

OHATCHEE — Devin Howell plans to join the United States Air Force one day. For now, he wants to see how many more baseballs he can send into the wild blue yonder.

Howell celebrated his signing with Marion Military Institute on Thursday in Ohatchee High School’s library.

The senior center fielder batted .375 with seven doubles, a triple, 15 RBIs, 23 runs and 12 stolen bases in 2023. He batted .571 with runners in scoring position.

“Devin has been a six-year starter for me at Ohatchee since he was in the seventh grade,” said Blake Jennings, Howell’s coach at Ohatchee who recently filled openings for head football and baseball coach at White Plains. “I had told his dad that he would play for us in his seventh-grade year, and his dad … told me I was crazy. We had a kid get hurt, and Devin’s first at bat against Jacksonville and he hits a double down the line.

“His work ethic and drive are unmatched by many. He is the player all coaches love to coach because he will do everything he is supposed to.” 

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