When Reese Basinger started playing softball at about 8 years old, it was mostly about enjoying herself.
“I started it to just have fun, and that’s what it was for a long time,” said the Evans High School senior pitcher.
Now, years of “just having fun” has now earned her a spot at Winthrop University and what her coach Richard Beale has called a “great year” with the Lady Knights.
“We won region again,” said Basinger. “And I beat my single season record for strike outs.”
Basinger boasts an .452 batting average and a 1.17 earned run average. Beale, who is also the Evans High athletic director, says that her promise showed itself early.
“When knew she was going to be a good one when we got her,” said Beale. “She was learning from the older girls when she got here, and that helped.”
Beale has coached Basinger since she’s started at Evans and is quick to note that her aptitude in the field has not only bloomed but continues to thrive.
“She’s just taken over,” he said. “These last two years she’s really carried us in the circle. She’s keeping us in every ball game, she gives us a chance to win every time she’s out there, striking out about eight to 10 or more and that’s been a big plus for us.”
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Reese Basinger attributes her interest in the game to her mother, Stefanie Basinger, who also played softball at Evans High, as well as in college.
“We have a very athletic family,” said Stefanie Basinger. “Our kids play a lot of sports, so when she was younger, it just felt natural to sign her up for softball. At first ,she would just be in the outfield picking daisies. Later she developed a passion for it.”
Reese Basinger’s drive is now largely maintained by her college aspirations, she says. She is due to start pitching in January for Winthrop, where she’s considering studying biology or entering a pre-dental program. Her motivation has lately leaned toward making sure her skills do justice to the opportunity.
“That motivates me to work hard and get better when I get there,” Reese Basinger said about Winthrop. “It just feels like home. Every time I go there I like it more and more. The coaches are all great people and very supportive. The team is just like a family.”
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Stefanie Basinger has no shortage of confidence in her daughter, emphasizing Reese Basinger’s competitive nature, perseverance and overall humility in the face of all the attention her talent has gotten her.
Reese had decided on Winthrop when she was a sophomore, Stefanie Basinger says.
“When she first set out to do this and people around her told her how good she was and she didn’t really believe it herself,” said Stefanie Basinger. “Then when she had college coaches start talking to her and show interest, maybe she can do this. When she got that offer from that school it was a big deal for her, because she definitely worked for that and knew that’s what she wanted.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
