Kenyon Collins, a junior pitcher for the Marshall University baseball team, recently etched his name into the school's record books by striking out 15 batters in a single game, surpassing a mark that had stood for more than five decades.
The performance not only highlighted Collins's growing prowess on the mound but also revived memories of a family deeply rooted in the university's athletic history.
A Legacy Across Generations
Rodney May, who starred for the Thundering Herd in the late 1960s and early 1970s, held the previous strikeout record with 12 strikeouts in a game, a benchmark he set during a season that also saw him compile 72 career strikeouts and pitch 100 innings.
May's tenure coincided with a period of transition for Marshall football, as the campus mourned the loss of the football team, yet his baseball achievements remained a constant source of pride for his family.
After graduating, May married Susie Morris and together they pursued careers as educators in Cabell County, raising a brood that would later become intertwined with the fabric of local sports.
A Family of Competitors
The May household included daughters Bonnie Edwards and Jennie Holmes, son Lee May, and grandsons who would later follow diverse athletic paths, from basketball to football.
Bonnie married former Marshall football player Will Edwards, while Jennie made history as the first girl to reach 1,000 points in Cabell Midland High School basketball, a feat later matched by her sister Katie Collins, who became the boys' all‑time leading scorer.
Curtis Collins, Katie's husband and Kenyon's father, was himself a 1,000‑point scorer in Cabell Midland boys' basketball, establishing a benchmark of athletic excellence that Kenyon now seeks to extend on the diamond.
Beyond the family circle, several members of the Ona Little League team that captured the West Virginia State Championship in recent years have helped Cabell Midland secure back‑to‑back state titles in 2023 and 2024, underscoring the community's deep talent pool.
Rodney May even took on the role of coach for three of his grandsons, including Kenyon, instilling in them a work ethic and competitive spirit that he himself honed at Marshall.
Choosing the Herd
When the time came to select a college, Kenyon Collins opted to stay close to home, committing to Marshall University where his family's legacy is celebrated at every game.
His decision reflects not only a personal admiration for the program but also a desire to continue a tradition that blends academic pursuit with athletic ambition.
Coaches and teammates alike have praised Collins's poise and determination, noting that his record‑breaking outing is a glimpse of what could become a transformative era for the program.
As the new season approaches, the excitement surrounding Collins's presence is palpable, with fans eager to see how his family's storied past will influence his future performances on the mound.