Dalton Reeves isn’t shy about expressing his faith. South Carolina’s senior catcher/designated hitter went from a lightly recruited high school player to a major contributor for the Gamecocks after two previous stops at smaller collegiate programs. While success didn’t come quickly at each level, he notes that his faith has helped guide him in every step of the journey.
“That’s my foundation, whether I’m going through something or I’m feeling like I’m on the highest mountain,” said Reeves, whose walk-out song at home games is “Where I belong” by the Christian group Building 429. “Jesus is always there for me. He brings me safety and security in my life. He got me to where I am. When I got here, I wanted to do something to show my faith on the biggest stage of college baseball. I’ve had a lot of people talk to me about how they like that I bring Him praise on the baseball field.”
Reeves was not a top prospect coming out of Lugoff Elgin (SC) High School, and began his collegiate career at Erskine College, a NCAA Division II program in Due West, South Carolina.
“Erskine was my only offer coming out of high school,” Reeves said. “I was a bit of a late bloomer. I didn’t really grow until my junior year. I didn’t have an offer until the fall of my senior year.
“They had a freshman team and then the (varsity) team that played other colleges. I played on the development team a little bit, and then I made the big team, but then COVID hit, and we all went home. When we came back the next year, I got some playing time and became a starter about a quarter through the season.”
He hit .352 with six home runs and 28 RBI in his lone full season with the Flying Fleet in 2021 and was named Conference Carolinas Player of the Year. Believing he could play at a higher level; Reeves tested the transfer portal in the hope of playing at a Division I program. Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, made him an offer, and Reeves made the most of his opportunity with the Blue Hose after belting 18 home runs with 85 RBI in his two seasons there while earning Big South All-Conference second team honors in 2022. After earning his degree in business administration and management, Reeves still had one more year eligibility and needed to find a school with a graduate program that matched his interests.
“I wanted to continue progressing, and I always dreamed of playing for the Gamecocks,” said Reeves, who is working on his…
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