Payleitner chooses West Point

RaeAnne Payleitner hopes she has a few more home runs left in the final weeks of her stellar high school career at St. Charles East, and she’s relieved she’s found a place to keep hitting them next year.

Last week Payleitner, St. Charles East’s all-time home run leader with 23, accepted an offer to West Point located about 40 miles north of New York City. She will play Division I softball in the Patriot League.

The recruiting process wasn’t always easy and Payleitner is glad it’s over.

“It’s been a long process,” said Payleitner, who will leave for basic training June 25.

“Getting into any military academy is a long process. Been working on this since last June. It all fell into place. Nice way coming into this week as we are finishing our season. It’s been a long road but I’m very, very excited about it.”

Payleitner said she would probably have played at DePaul if this didn’t work out. She would not have had a scholarship at DePaul but a chance to work toward one as a sophomore.

Payleitner has 9 home runs so far this year for the Saints, who won their fifth straight game Tuesday, 4-3 against Geneva. She hit 7 home runs both her sophomore and junior seasons.

“Really excited for the kid,” Saints coach Kelly Horan said. “There was never a doubt in my mind she deserved to go D-1. She is only going to blossom when she gets out of St. Charles and goes and has that big-time experience. I can’t wait to see what great things come from her.”

Payleitner, who caught the last two years for the Saints and is playing first base this season, said she will move back to catcher at West Point.

“It’s great to have her around now stress-free and enjoying the last part of her senior year and enjoying the game,” Horan said. “You can tell it was weighing on her. She did a great job not bringing it out to the ball field but you can tell she’s totally relaxed.”