THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406100305
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 31 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KERNELS, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: 940612 LENGTH: SUSSEX
In two years, Reagan, a sophomore from perennial powerhouse Sussex Central, has put her own stamp on Tidewater District softball.
{REST} If a picture were made, it would show a pitcher with a Cool Hand Luke attitude with a right-handed delivery, leaving opposing teams offenseless and speechless with a rising fastball, a change-up that dances better than Gene Kelly and a curve with more moves than Marilyn Monroe.
Reagan went 18-3 in a season that included an eye-popping three no-hitters (five career), two one-hitters and five shutouts. She also had 169 strikeouts (365 career) in 111 innings and a 1.01 ERA.
In a word: Yikes.
``There's nobody around here in her league,'' said Franklin coach Dave Lease, whose team finished third in the district. ``It's tough facing her. It's tough going into games not knowing if you can hit her.''
No one could - which is why she is this year's recipient for The Sun Female Athlete of the Year award.
When Reagan was on, so was Sussex, winning 14 games to go undefeated in the district. An upset in the district tournament, however, ended the Tigers season.
``I expected her to be the best in the district this year,'' Windsor coach Patsy Neal said. ``She's that good.
The scary thing is that Reagan is self-taught and self-made.
If you're a kid out in Sussex County, a good time on the weekend is going down to the school to lift weights. Hey, we're not kidding. There's no malls, movie theaters and especially recreation leagues.
If you want a game, the only place to go is out of town - and that's what Reagan does, playing on an AAU team in Richmond.
``There's just not any softball around here,'' Reagan said.
So Reagan practiced the old fashioned way - with dad in the back yard. She went to camps within driving distance. Even after games - this time with a more tired dad sitting on a bucket.
``I think that's one of the big things with Denise is that she practices constantly,'' Neal said.
Even scarier is that none of this has seemed to faze her, like she doesn't realize that what she's done in a season most players would trade for a career.
Strikeouts, shut-outs, no-hitters. It all means the same to her: nothing. Her first shut-out? ``I used to think a hit was anytime anyone touched the ball,'' she said.
Her first no-hitter? ``I didn't know I threw a no-hitter until afterwards,'' she said. ``I think I read it in the paper or my dad told me.''
The only line Reagan says she cares about is the bottom line: wins and losses.
``I read the stats, but it doesn't really matter,'' Reagan said. ``I just don't really care.''
Oh, yeah. There's one more scary thing. She wants to get better.
by CNB