Phoenix Addie will head right down the road for college and softball.
Addie is a 2026 Gilmer High graduate, and she has her sights set on Reinhardt University. Its Waleska campus is just 34 miles from Ellijay, which was a major factor for Addie. She also fielded interest from colleges in Ohio and Washington.
“I really like the community at Reinhardt. They’re really faith-based, and when I went on my visit, they were talking about Jesus the whole time,” Addie said. “Probably how close it is and how it’s faith-based were the main reasons I chose to go there. I want to watch my little brother (Jackson) grow up.”
Addie visited RU multiple times and got to check out all the academic and athletic facilities. She made her verbal pledge to Reinhardt last October.
“I’ve wanted to play college softball since I was old enough to pick up a bat,” Addie said. “I started playing when I was three years old and started playing every weekend with travel ball. Playing in college was a big thing for me. I didn’t care where, I just wanted to be able to play.”
She grew up playing rec ball in Louisiana and joined her first travel team when she was seven. Her family moved to Ellijay when she was 11, and her travel days continued to the present day. She remained on the same team, Georgia Trouble, based in Dallas. They played weekend tournaments throughout the southeast and as far west as Colorado.
“It’s a pretty packed schedule, and we’ve traveled all over the country,” Addie said. “We probably play around 150 games per year. (On weekends) the first day when we play four games, it’s fine. But the second day is worse because I’m so sore by that time. But I wouldn’t have it any other way because it’s made me tougher. It’s made me able to play every single day.
“(Travel ball taught me) you have to be able to trust your teammates because you can’t do it all by yourself.”
Addie was a four-year starter for the GHS Lady Cats, and she was recognized for her play three times.
She received an all-region honorable mention as a freshman. She started two games on the mound and posted a 1-1 record. She struck out 15 and had a 5.67 ERA in 21 innings. At the plate, she hit .290, knocked in 11 runs and scored five.
Addie earned another all-region honorable mention in 2023. She drove in 15 runs to lead the Cats. She racked up 23 hits, three doubles, a home run, a .303 average and a .743 on-base plus slugging percentage.
GHS had its best season with Addie on the roster in 2025. Gilmer was 16-16 on the season, and Addie landed on the all-region first team. She had a .392 average and knocked in 16 runs. She recorded 28 hits that included nine doubles and a home run.
“We had a good season my senior year, and I’m glad we got to be more successful,” Addie said. “We always could have been, but it was about effort and want. I really enjoyed traveling with my teammates, and some of those girls are going to be my best friends forever. It was fun to travel around the state with them and compete.”
Addie spent time at shortstop, third base, pitcher and catcher while at GHS. She noted she was recruited to Reinhardt as a pitcher, hitter and catcher. Her main focus has been pitching, and she works regularly with travel coach Deb Sonnenberg.
She plans to study animal science ahead of veterinary school.
“I’ve always been into agriculture on the animal side. I showed pigs for a long time and have a bunch of dogs. I want to be able to take care of the animals that got me through so many hard things. I want to be able to give back," Addie said.
“I’m looking forward to being able to find a group of girls I can play well with and be friends with. We can hang out, but we can also get serious on the field. I’m really excited for college in general and not being at home, but still not being too far away.”
Reinhardt competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association as a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.