Payne commits to Bellarmine University

"Excited and honored to announce my commitment to Bellarmine University to continue my athletic and academic career. I want to thank God, former coaches, family, and friends who have supported me along the way!#swordsup" Owen Payne posted to X.

Collin Maynard, head coach of the LTC baseball team, expressed his confidence in Payne's abilities and readiness for the next level. "I believe Owen's time at Lincoln Trail has prepared him for the next level very well. He has shown that he is capable of any task set before him and will always attack it to the best of his abilities."

Maynard also spoke optimistically about Payne's future, despite an ongoing elbow injury. "Owen is currently rehabbing an elbow injury this season but I expect he will make a full recovery and come back stronger than ever."

Reflecting on Payne's journey, Maynard expressed his pride in Payne's commitment to Bellarmine University. "I am very proud of Owen's commitment to Bellarmine University. He has overcome a lot of adversity in his time here and no one is more deserving of this than Owen."

Maynard further emphasized Payne's potential impact on Bellarmine's baseball program. "I think once Owen steps foot on Bellarmine's campus he will immediately become an impact player. He has an electric fastball that has already been clocked as high as 94 MPH which will consistently jump on hitters and create uncomfortable at-bats."