‘She’s been thriving’: Rebekah Beasley soars at Mission Oak with Hawks softball program

Rebekah Beasley has helped continue the gold standard at Mission Oak High School.

Beasley is the only senior on the Hawks’ softball team. Her veteran presence has paid big dividends for the squad this season.

Beasley spearheaded Mission Oak to an outright West Yosemite League championship, batting .456 as the Hawks hit the 20-win total for the first time in eight years.

A four-year starter, she has helped the Hawks win three league titles in the past four campaigns and surpassed 100 career hits earlier this season.

“She’s been thriving this year,” Mission Oak head coach Ilissa Fachinni said. “She’s always been a hard worker.”

Beasley has taken on extra roles this season.

In the past, Fachinni usually had several seniors guiding the team but this year has been different with Beasley as the team’s lone veteran senior.

Beasley has provided direction and leadership for a 14-player roster that includes five sophomores, three freshmen and five juniors.

Is there added pressure to be a leader?

“It has its highs and lows,” Beasley said. “For me, I look at it as an opportunity to take over that leadership role and try to be like a role model for my teammates, especially the younger ones because we are a young team. It is challenging, sometimes, because I am the only one but they still have another year or two here, so it makes it almost harder to leave. I feel like I’ve been a part of the program for a while so I’m just leaving my little mark but it is a nice heartwarming feeling.”

Beasley will culminate her career as one of Mission Oak’s premier players in school history. In four seasons, she has hit a collective .395 with 107 runs, 126 hits, 64 RBIs, 18 doubles, seven triples and three home runs.

She also starts at shortstop and charges the offense as the team’s lead-off hitter.

During her run with Mission Oak, the Hawks have won 72 games as of publication.

Beasley’s impact on and off the field has drawn high praise from Fachinni.

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“She communicates very well,” Fachinni said. “She communicates well with adults and with kids. She’s been a good liaison to communicate expectations and things like that. When it’s coming from a senior, it’s different than when it’s coming from a coach. That’s really helped us out a lot. Obviously, she excels on the field so that really helps her credibility with the kids. She’s super responsible. Academically, she does really, really well. She’s involved in a lot of things.”

Beasley doesn’t look at her stats.

She wasn’t even aware she eclipsed 100 career hits this season until she was told and even then, Beasley didn’t take all the credit for her on-field success.

That went to her father, Steve, and the team.

“I’m just really proud, I guess, knowing the hard work and the time I spent with my dad, working since forever, is paying off,” Beasley said. “It’s not going unnoticed. All the extra hours spent with my dad in my batting cage, just putting in the work.”

How much did dad teach Beasley about sports?

“Oh, my gosh, everything I know, really,” Beasley said. “He’s always been a coach to me even if he isn’t in the dugout with me. He’s always constantly supporting me, videotaping my games, breaking down my game, my swing. Always supporting me even when I didn’t believe in myself. He’s always there pushing me, ready to work, always looking forward to practicing softball together.”

What’s it like to have that type of support?

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“Very blessed,” Beasley said. “I couldn’t imagine doing all this without both of my parents. They’re very supportive, and encouraging throughout everything.”

Beasley is a three-sport standout who excelled at volleyball and soccer for Mission Oak.

What did she learn from being a multi-sport athlete?

“I think for me, my time management,” Beasley said. “As a woman, just to have different things that I’m doing in life but also having my sports to figure out how I’m going to balance school, my personal life, my sports life, all in one. It’s really helped me with time management and building my skills socially.”

Beasley will continue her softball career next season at William Jessup University — a private college in Rocklin transitioning to the NCAA Division II level next school year.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in college,” Beasley said. “I went back to the hard work I did with my dad. I want to make him proud, and so, knowing that I accomplished that goal and I can cross that off my list, it’s a good feeling, knowing that I did it."

How much does softball mean to Beasley?

“It’s my escape from reality,” Beasley said. “That’s what I always say. I’m just able to let everything go off the field the moment I step onto the field. I just know it’s a good day when I’m playing softball.”

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: ‘She’s been thriving’: Rebekah Beasley soars at Mission Oak