Since his varsity debut as a sophomore, Reese Young Reese not only showed he could play well with a bat, ball and glove, but also demonstrated the speed to steal bases when defenses are vulnerable.
Young’s achievements on the diamond and contributions to the Pierz Pioneers earned him Morrison County Record’s 2024 All Area Baseball Player of the Year. He stole 29 stolen bases, setting a new Pioneers single season record. If that’s not enough, he also set a new school career record, earning his 52nd career stolen base against Pequot Lakes Monday, April 15. Reese later ended the session with 72 career stolen bases. Pioneers Head Coach Dylan Pittman said it’s hard to bat behind him, due to the patience needed to see what he does.
“When he gets on (base) it's a matter of when he’s going to go, not a matter of if,” Pittman said.
Young showed off his quickness when he first moved up to the varsity level running out short infield hits. He said he didn’t know how fast he was until he noticed himself being utilized to sneak on bases more often.
“I didn’t realize that I could rack up all these stolen bases at the varsity level either until they kept stealing me…,” Young said.
Young shared how the realization of being two stolen bases away from breaking the single season base stealing record at the end of his sophomore year. After Pittman told him how close he was, he made it his goal to do so. Even though he came up short again in his junior year, he still saw his goal within reach. After three years of playing varsity, he now has the titles for both season and career records.
Young explained the strategy he goes through when attempting to steal a base, such as being aggressive against the opposing teams’ secondary pitcher when he’s on first and second base to watching the ball hit the ground early when standing at third base.
‘If you're looking to steal a base off the pitcher, you’re watching him. If you’re looking to go home, you’re watching where the ball goes,” Young said.
At the plate, he had a .351 batting average, hitting six doubles and two triples. On defense, He usually starts most games as a pitcher to set the tone for the Pioneers. He threw 44 strikeouts during the season and played shortstop.
Young said that his favorite part of his high school career is being around friends he enjoys playing with and creating great moments together. It’s something he'll definitely l miss.
“We had great coaches, great fans, great teammates,” Young said. “It was a great atmosphere to be around,” Young said. “And went out, we played hard and just had a good time and it was very enjoyable to play for the Pierz Pioneers.”
Pittman describes Young as a player who leads by example on the team without being boastful about it. He remains calm and lets his performance do the talking.
“He’s a very reserved kid. Just his energy and everything is very balanced,” Pittman said.
The Pioneers went 5-2 in the Section 6AA tournament. They beat Royalton in the first round of the championship bracket, as well as upsetting St. Cloud Cathedral in the second round. They defeated Holdingford in the quarterfinals of the elimination bracket and beat St. Cloud Cathedral for the second time in the elimination bracket semifinals. Overall the Pioneers finished the season 21-6 and 11-3 in the Granite Ridge Conference.
Young also plays amateur baseball for the Buckman Billygoats. He plans to attend St. Cloud Technical College next school year, to pursue an electrical degree.
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