Tragedy strikes Vanderbilt University after death of player
Vanderbilt University and its baseball team are in a period of mourning after the death of a promising young talent.
Tragedy struck Vanderbilt University and its baseball program when it was reported that freshman pitcher Donny Everett died Thursday night.
Everett was with a few other teammates when he reportedly attempted to swim across a lake, only to begin struggling and ultimately go under.
The article explains how talented of a prospect Everett was:
He was one of the nation’s top high school pitchers and a projected first-round pick in last year’s Major League Draft. But Everett balked on a signing bonus of up to $2.5 million in June 2015 to instead play at Vanderbilt, according to CBS Sports baseball reporter John Heyman.
This is a terrible tragedy, and one where those close to Everett may begin to second-guess themselves to see if they could have done anything to prevent what happened.
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Hopefully those nearest Everett can mourn and not be bogged down with guilt, as this was no one’s fault.
Vanderbilt elected to play Friday night against Xavier, but in a twist of fate the weather did not cooperate and the game was rained out.
It would be wrong to expect the team to forfeit any of their games. Sports serve as a distraction from the hardships of everyday life, and the Vanderbilt family is in need of a distraction right now. A few hours of baseball will help begin the healing process, although it is one that may never be fully mended for some.
The tragedy should help the program come together as a family, while also serving as a second family to the Everett’s in this time of healing.
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The Vanderbilt program and its baseball team will have the prayers of baseball fans all over the country as they play for a national title in honor of a fallen teammate and friend.