Locked and loaded for one last ride: Lancaster’s Reese Poston has unfinished business
LANCASTER — From the first moment she stepped into the circle for the Lancaster softball team three years ago, Reese Poston fully understood a lot would be expected of her, even though she was only a freshman.
While most would be wide-eyed and shy away from the lofty expectations and pressure, Poston is different. She welcomed the challenge. Her steely resolve, laser focus and mental fortitude set her apart from the start.
Lancaster softball coach Allie Kinnaird has run out of words to describe just how special Poston has been throughout her career.
“Her competitive nature is what drives Reese to be better and to be that one percent better every single day,” Kinniard said. “She is constantly working throughout the year at all parts of softball. When we get to the ballpark, she is ready to go and 100 percent focused and locked in.
“She is very disciplined in everything she does, whether it is hitting or pitching. I cannot put into words how special that type of player is. Her growth each year has been amazing to watch.”
Now a senior, Poston had helped lead the Lady Gales to three consecutive Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division titles, as well as back-to-back Central District Division I district championships her freshman and sophomore seasons and district runner-up finish a year ago.
Poston's mindset this season is to help lead the Gales to their first state tournament berth.
“It’s not just me, but all of my teammates are playing with a sense of unfinished business,” Poston said. “We are determined as ever, and we are not going to go down easy this year, especially come tournament time.”
A difference-maker from the start
Poston burst onto the scene her freshman year, dominated in the circle and was one of the Gales’ top hitters at the plate.
In a 3-1 district final win over Marysville her freshman year, Poston set the tone early by striking out the side in the first inning. She would pitch a complete game, giving up only three hits while striking out 10, including nine in the first four innings. This came after the Monarchs defeated the Gales 21-5 earlier in the season against another Lancaster pitcher, and in the process racked up 24 hits, which showed just how dominant Poston was.
Having that kind of success as a freshman was eye-opening, but Poston has so much belief in herself, and regardless of the situation, her mental toughness would take over and she is the type of player that never gives in, which is what separates her from her peers.
The bigger the stage, the better she seems to perform. She wants the ball in her hands with the game on the line.
“Coming in as a freshman, I knew I had big shoes to fill, but my teammates and coaches understood it would be tough on me being so young, so they were there for me, as well as my family, which helped me get through that first season. My parents and my brother, Riley, also helped me a lot. It was just nice to lean on those people. I think I was able to have confidence in myself because I have always played against people that were older and bigger than me, so I’ve always had to go out there and give it my all.”
After her outstanding freshman season, Poston was just getting started. Her sophomore year, she helped lead the Gales to another district championship and a spot in the regional final, marking the furthest a Lancaster softball had ever gone in the tournament and one step away from the state tournament.
After giving up two hits and striking out 10 in a district final win over Olentangy Orange, it’s what Poston did in a 1-0 regional semifinal win over Gahanna that made her a Lancaster softball legend.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning of a scoreless game against the Lions, Poston fell behind 0-2 in the count, and after a pitch just missed on the outside corner, Poston sent the next pitch over the left-centerfield fence for a walk-off home run.
In the circle, Poston was her normal self as she limited the Lions’ potent offense to just two hits.
Looking forward to going out in style
Poston has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish in her high school career. She has been named league and district Player of the Year, earned All-Ohio honors, won 45 career games in the circle, and just recorded her 500th career strikeout.
Winning the Gales’ fourth consecutive league title is first on the agenda and then, not only making another deep tournament run but reaching the ultimate by playing in the Final Four would allow Poston to take Lancaster to a place it has never been.
She and her teammates were one step away two years ago. One thing is for sure, if Poston is on the field, her mental makeup gives her an edge, and she is the type of player that can will her team to a victory.
She fully understands this is her last chance, and she is embracing the challenge.
“I want the pressure to be on me,” Poston said. “I have always been prepared for those big moments, and if you aren’t that type of player you shouldn’t be out here. We have great energy on our team, we are all there for each other, and I know when it counts the most, I can count on my teammates to have my back.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Locked and loaded for one last ride: Lancaster’s Poston has unfinished business
