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Effingham County's Bailee Wilson living softball dream
Two-time Region 2-AAAAAA Player of the Year bound for Georgia Southern
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Bailee Wilson is a standout in the circle and at third base for the Lady Rebels. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff
SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County softball and Bailee Wilson go together like peanut butter and jelly. They make each other better. Wilson, a senior pitcher for the Lady Rebels has become a Jill of all trades, pitching and hitting her way to two Region 2-AAAAAA Player of the Year awards. While Wilson, who also plays third base, has been sensational on both sides of the ball, she admits that she enjoys playing defense more.. “Pitching is fun, but I admit I enjoy playing more as an infielder,” Wilson said. Wilson takes pride in being a team player. “I started pitching when I got involved with travel ball (with the Effingham Angels) and it was something that helped me contribute more to my team,” Wilson said. Wilson credits her success on the mound to her father, Mike Wilson, and her pitching coach. “My dad and Jeff Rainwater helped me to improve my pitching skills over the years,” she said. “They both have been very encouraging and push me to continue to strive to be the best player I can be in all aspects of the game.” Although she thought of blazing her own trail, Wilson couldn’t resist of the idea of her joining her sister, Shelby, at Georgia Southern. “I am so blessed to have received an offer to play for Georgia Southern after graduation,” Wilson said. “Ever since I was little, Georgia Southern has been like home for me and my family. My father graduated from there and my sister, Shelby, plays softball there and will graduate from there this year. At first, I wanted to go somewhere different and step out of the family tradition but, after a lot of prayer, I feel Georgia Southern is where I am supposed to be and a place that I can call home.” See the Sept. 5 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.