Grant Hussey hangs out at Energy Express reading program
- West Virginia University baseball player Grant Hussey reads from “Gaston” during an Energy Express summer reading event Thursday at Martin Elementary School. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
- Grant Hussey throws the ball during a baseball game at an Energy Express summer reading event at Martin Elementary School. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
- West Virginia’s JJ Wetherholt throws the ball during a college baseball game against Xavier. (AP Photo)
- Corinne Lee swings the bat during a baseball game at an Energy Express summer reading event at Martin Elementary School. (Photo by Aaron Lee)

West Virginia University baseball player Grant Hussey reads from “Gaston” during an Energy Express summer reading event Thursday at Martin Elementary School. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
PARKERSBURG — Grant Hussey, Parkersburg native and West Virginia University’s career home run leader, participated in the Energy Express summer reading program at Martin Elementary on Thursday.
After reading the kids “Gaston” by Kelly DiPucchio, Hussey and a handful of Parkersburg South athletes played a game of baseball at the playground.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and I’ve never gotten the opportunity to,” said Hussey of being able to give back in his hometown.
“Being around these kids, hearing what they have to say, they’re all a bunch of energy-filled little kids, so being out here and playing baseball and reading to them has been fun.”
Hussey described how the chance to participate in the summer reading program came about, “Brian Lee, he texted me one day just before I was walking out to practice,” Hussey recalled, “and he asked me if I wanted to come out here. I like them, they’re a good family, so they set it all up and all I had to do was show up.”

Corinne Lee swings the bat during a baseball game at an Energy Express summer reading event at Martin Elementary School. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
Lee’s daughter, Corrine, whose favorite WVU baseball player is Hussey, participated in the baseball game and got a jersey signed by the Mountaineer slugger.
Hussey spoke on what it was like to play a part in West Virginia’s historic 2024 baseball team, “We were the first West Virginia team to make a super regional,” he said.
“That’s pretty special, that’s something you can never take away from us. The team was great, and we had some pretty awesome players. Obviously like J.J. (Wetherholt), he’s gonna be a first-rounder. We should have a bunch of other guys that have the opportunity to play professional ball. That season was special, it was special for everybody in the state that watched.”
Hussey’s baseball future will become clear after the MLB draft, which takes place from Sunday evening through Tuesday.
If not selected, he will return to West Virginia for his senior season.

Grant Hussey throws the ball during a baseball game at an Energy Express summer reading event at Martin Elementary School. (Photo by Aaron Lee)
“Once the draft rolls around, whatever team decides to pick me, you obviously go to the minors for a bit and see if you can hack your way out of that. There’s four minor league teams for every major league team. It’s a lot of work, but it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a dream come true once that happens. I’ll take every opportunity to do what I can and try to succeed.”
While Hussey would be thrilled to make it to the next level by being drafted by any team, he mentioned one in particular that would be especially exciting, “I grew up a Boston Red Sox fan, I’ve talked to them a little bit. If that rolls around, that would be even cooler.”
Contact Aaron Lee at alee@newsandsentinel.com