By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — With the entire Los Fresnos baseball and softball programs, and dozens of others gathered to cheer her on, Reba Reyes felt right at home.
Only, instead of stepping up to the plate, digging into the infield dirt at shortstop or trotting out to the warning track in center field, she was seated with her family Wednesday in the Los Fresnos gymnasium as she signed her intent to play softball for St. Mary’s University, a private Catholic school in San Antonio.
The Rattlers compete at the Division II level within the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Lone Star Conference.
At St. Mary’s, Reyes will major in exercise and sports science, and the senior said she was excited about the prospect of starting a new life in San Antonio.
“My parents put so much into me,” Reyes said. “All I wanted to do was just get my college paid for them for all this time they’ve put into me, and so much money and everything.”
Reyes’ parents and coaches praised her work ethic, and her desire for continuous improvement has been inspired by her peers.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me to only look at people who are better than you as a challenge,” Reyes. “Like, don’t be scared of them. Those girls have pushed me to do that, and coaches have always told me I’m capable of putting so much more than I put in, so I just put in more work.”
Reyes said she has been told she’ll continue to play shortstop at St. Mary’s, and she is going to use her final season to fine-tune her game and work toward preparing herself for the next phase of her career.
“Ever since Day 1 when she showed up here, she has been growing in her physical game and mental game,” Los Fresnos softball coach Traci Blackman said. “She’s been amazing. Every year she seems to get better.”