Vanderbilt Freshman Pitcher Donny Everett Dies Of Drowning

Vanderbilt Commodores freshman pitcher Donny Everett, 19, died Thursday night in a drowning accident, the university announced Friday.

Vanderbilt Freshman Pitcher Donny Everett Dies Of Drowning

According to the Coffee County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Department, dispatchers sent a deputy and an ambulance to Normandy Lake shortly before 5 pm on Thursday after receiving reports of a “subject that had gone underwater.”

Coach Tim Corbin informed players and coaches of Everett’s death Thursday night, according to The Tennessean.

“We learned last night of the tragic death of Donny Everett, an outstanding young man who exemplified the best of our university,” Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams said in a statement Friday. “As you can imagine, the team, the athletic department and the university are trying to come to terms with this tragedy. His parents and loved ones are on our minds and in our prayers as we share in their grief.”

Following a meeting scheduled for Friday afternoon, the Commodores have decided to play their NCAA Regional opener against Xavier on Friday night.

Sheriff’s department spokesman Edward Knott stated Everett had gone to the lake to fish with two teammates and two other people. All four people said the pitcher was attempting to swim from the west side to the east side of Fire Lake Bridge.

The sheriff’s report also said Everett reached the midway point when he began calling out for help, although the four people stated they thought he was “just joking around” because he did not appear to be in real distress.

“One person did enter the water and pulled Everett several feet but stated that he is not a good swimmer and was struggling to stay afloat,” the report said. “He stated that Everett did not seem to be struggling. The friend stated that he let go of Everett and swam back to shore still thinking Everett was ‘joking.’ He stated that when he looked back, Everett had gone under and did not re-surface.”

Coffee County Rescue Squad divers eventually uncovered Everett’s body 15 feet from the shore at approximately 6:49 pm, the report added. His body was taken to Nashville for autopsy by the state medical examiner.

Everett, a standout at Clarksville (Tennessee) High School, was considered a potential mid-first-round pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. He was ranked 21st among prospects by Baseball America. Nevertheless, the youngster decided to honor his commitment to the Commodores.

The Milwaukee Brewers, however, seized the opportunity and drafted the right-hander in the 29th round.

Everett ended his freshman season at Vandy with an 0-1 record and a 1.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings. He also pitched one shutout inning in the SEC tournament on May 24.

The Commodores won the College World Series in 2014 and came second in 2015.

Everett was also named the 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year at Clarksville High. There, he threw a fastball that reached up to 99 mph.

ESPN Scouts Inc.said Everett had “the most pure arm strength of any high school arm in the class” and called him “the rare innings-eater who misses bats” and that “there’s a strong possibility he becomes a reliever.”