Rylee Reeves has been playing softball since she could walk.
The UC Davis softball player, who is a 2024 Pitman High graduate, is serious about that statement.
“I was learning how to walk by using a chalk bases that my sister would draw for me in (the family’s) backyard,” recalled Reeves. “I was like 2 (years old).”
As the Aggie grew older, she learned the game of softball from Cameron, her father.
“He was my T-ball coach and my pitch coach,” Reeves said of her father.
Then she started playing on travel ball teams. Living on the diamond became a way of life for Reeves.
“I never chose anything different,” Reeves said.
Reeves has made the adjustments playing at an NCAA Division I college like UCD from playing on high school and travel ball teams over the years.
Her secret to adjusting is a motto could be the same for all people from different walks of life.
“It’s OK to fail,” Reeves said. “That has been the biggest mental change I’ve made since I’ve been here. To soak up as much information to better myself and my team.”
That includes adjustments in the batter’s box. The extra time seems to have paid off for Reeves.
Entering Friday’s Big West Conference three-game series at CSU Fullerton, Reeves leads the Aggie bats with a .315 batting average and second with a .409 on-base percentage. Some of those hits include 5 doubles and 2 triples. She has started in 40 games this season. UCD entered the series with a 7-14 record in the Big West and 13-32 overall.
“Rylee has been such a great addition to our team,” said UCD head coach Erin Thorpe of Reeves. “She has done a really great job of coming in and competing every chance she gets. There is never a doubt she is giving her all for our team. She is very talented, has a great personality and is a great teammate.”
One game Reeves fondly remembers fondly was against Portland State at the Cardinal Classic in Stanford on Feb. 15. She went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs.
“Portland State stands out to me,” Reeves said.
As a member of the 2024 Pitman softball team, Reeves had an amazing .559 batting average and on-base percentage of .620. She led the Pride in home runs with four and third with eight stolen bases.
Reeves has found different ways to reach the base paths for the Aggies this season. She’s walked 13 times and been hit by a pitch three.
Playing second base this season, Reeves has a .927 fielding percentage and has committed eight errors. Some of those miscues came in a Big West Conference game against UC San Diego at LaRue Field on April 11. The visiting Tritons came away with a 9-1 win, taking the second game of a doubleheader in which the Aggies were guilty of seven errors. San Diego won the first game by a 4-1 score.
But making those mistakes is OK with Reeves. That is part of the game and life.
“I think that game taught us about perseverance,” Reeves said.
That is because on April 12 when the series wrapped up, UCD pounded San Diego by a 12-4 score.
Reeves’ on-fielding percentage at Pitman was at .942 during her senior season.
Reeves’ freshmen teammates include her roommate and pitcher/outfielder Alyssa Dethlefson, Naomi Kalanetra, Vanessa Calvillo, Clarie Shelton, Keira Brady, Sofia Anderson and Amanda Baldwin.
“I think we’re all hungry to learn and be a part of something,” said Reeves of her Aggie teammates.
That includes looking up to the older players on the team, such as senior Mickey Buscemi, who is second in batting at .304 and junior Sydney Polli, who is third at .304
“I think we all look to our (upperclassmen teammates) to learn and play,” Reeves said.
UCD was one of four D-I colleges on Reeves’ radar.
“The coaches were super kind and genuine,” said Reeves of Thorpe and her assistant coaches. “I love the area; it’s near home. I think the team standards is something that I want to be a part.”
The other colleges Reeves considered before picking UCD were University of the Pacific in Stockton, San Francisco State and Portland State.
Reeves lives and breathes softball, dating back to when she stepped onto the UCD campus last summer. That has carried over to her and Aggie teammates playing in fall ball tournaments and workouts off the diamond such as weight training.
“Definitely a blessing,” Reeves said. “Soaking up every moment; the good, the bad, the ugly, the great. It’s such a beautiful experience.”
The Aggies are in Southern California this weekend, playing a three-game series at Big West foe UC Santa Barbara.
