By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  Regan Rasmussen finally got herself a full-season at the High School level after her freshman year was limited to six weeks due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and the soon-to-be-junior at Blanchet Catholic made the most of it.  Helping aid the Cavaliers to a 9-10 record and to a second-round appearance in the 3A playoffs this past season.  On top of that, Rassmussen was named to the 3A All-State Third team as a infielder, joining teammate Alexis Jensen (third-team All-State Catcher) to be named to the All-State list.

“It was really surprising honestly, I honestly didn’t think that I…I knew I was good enough to do it, but I didn’t think that it’ll actually happen and my dad was like ‘oh yeah you got third-team All-State’ and I was like ‘oh dang, I got third team All-State’, it was kind of surprising,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen pointed to Jensen and even Ariel Davila, Davila interestingly enough was playing on campus Tuesday with the Salem Aftershock 18U squad and Rasmussen on the turf with the Oregon Bombers 16U squad, as mentors for her going back to her freshman season last year.

“It helped a lot.  I’ve always looked up to them.  Last year they were my biggest inspirations to be like ‘oh yeah, I get to play with them and get to play at a high-level like that’.  And to back (Davila) up like I did was pretty cool and pretty amazing to be a part of,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen backed up Davila, who was the starting pitcher for Blanchet this past year as a senior, as well as played as a middle infielder when she didn’t pitch.  Rasmussen and Silverton’s McKenzee Peterson were warming up their arms Tuesday pitching wise as the Bombers held one of their final two practices before, hopefully, they get to take to the field again at the Valley invite.

The squad has only been able to get two games in, back over Memorial Day weekend at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem, but since then they’ve been idle.  With the hopes, as with Rasmussen, to bridge Spring success into her junior year with a strong Summer season.

“”(This year) taught me a lot.  It taught me perseverance and honestly never give up.  You’re going to get beat, you’re going to have good games and bad games, but to never give up and always be confident in yourself.  To have that confidence is really key to do super well in High School,” Rasmussen starts.  “(This summer) will be huge to have that extra exposure and to keep playing so I can keep growing and getting stronger in every aspect of the game.  It’ll be very exciting.”

Photos By Jeremy McDonald