Two-sport Owen athlete to play softball at Francis Marion University
Easton Whitson inks commitment to continue career With NCAA Division II program
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 13, 2025
Owen senior Easton Whitson, surrounded by Warlassies softball and volleyball teammates, committed, Nov. 12, to continue her softball career at Francis Marion University. Photo by Fred McCormick
Before the ink was completely dry on the documents in front of Easton Whitson, Nov. 12, family members, teammates and coaches surrounded the Owen senior to celebrate her realization of a lifelong dream.
The two-sport athlete, months away from her final season at third base for the Warlassies, was among hundreds of players across the country to mark the College Softball National Signing Day, committing her post-high school career to Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.
Whitson, a four-year varsity player for Owen’s volleyball and softball programs, reflected on the occasion.
“It’s like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “For my entire life, my biggest goal was to play softball at the next level, so knowing it’s official that I will have that opportunity is such a big blessing.”
A key player on the Western Highlands Conference champion Owen volleyball team, Whitson batted .356 with 21 RBI and a home run for a softball program that finished the 2025 campaign with a 12-0 conference mark. She has always felt most at home on the diamond.
“I started playing rec ball when I was super young, and then went on to play at a little more competitive level when I was around 7 or 8 years old,” she said. “I fell in love with it, immediately, because the experience was great. From the beginning, I’ve been surrounded by people who have made my time in the sport so memorable, so I realized early on I wanted to pursue a college career in softball.”
A member of the Carolina Elite Fastpitch organization, Whitson’s appreciation for the sport has grown as she sharpened her skills at the plate and in the field.
“It’s such a rewarding feeling, when I think back on the work I’ve put into it, and all of the time, effort, money and everything that goes into this” she said. “When you have a chance to see it work out, like here today or in-game accomplishments, it really makes you think you want to have that feeling for as long as you possibly can.”
Joined by her family, Owen senior Easton Whitson signs a letter of intent to play softball at NCAA Division II program, Francis Marion University. Photo by Fred McCormick
The chance to extend her playing career came while she was relaxing at a swimming hole in Swannanoa and received a message from FMU assistant coach Stephanie Bagwell.
“It’s kind of a funny story, because I was just there hanging out when I got a notification that she wanted to set up a phone call,” Whitson said. “Coach Bagwell was amazing from the start and the conversation flowed so easily.”
The student-athlete’s interest in the Patriots program, which won the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas championship last season, when the team finished 10th in the nation with a 53-6 record.
“Obviously, it’s such a strong and successful program, which is very exciting, but as soon as I talked to coach, it felt like home,” Whitson said. “She asked a lot of questions about me, as a person, so with her and (Head Coach Stacey Vallee), you can tell they are as concerned about you in that way, if not more, as they are in you, as a player.”
The strong team bonds are similar to those she has experienced as a member of the Warlassies, who are 49-15 during Whitson’s tenure and reigning back-to-back WHC champions.
“We have a lot of experienced girls who play travel ball, so our practices almost have a kind of a business environment, but at the same time we’re always having fun together,” she said. “We joke around, but when it’s time to be serious, we’re all serious.”
Her familiarity with many of her teammates extends to the volleyball court, while most of them have known each other for more than a decade.
Months before she begins her final season for the back-to-back conference champion Warlassies, Owen senior Easton Whitson committed, Nov. 12, to join the Patriots program at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C. Photo by Fred McCormick
“I’ve grown up playing with so many of them, but the way we’ve been able to push ourselves, together, to the next level, has already been a great experience,” she said. “We’ve all got to witness each other’s development, and even be a part of that process.”
With her commitment to FMU finalized, Whitson is already considering how she can continue to improve going into the spring.
“Now I know I have a path to play softball for, hopefully, four more years after this season,” Whitson said. “So, I really want to work on being the best I can be going into my first fall at FMU. I’m so excited to keep pushing myself here to see how good I can be when I go to college.”
The Warlassies, who have advanced to the third round of the state playoffs in each of the last two seasons, have plenty of additional motivation to keep working hard, she added.
“We want to win a state championship,” said Whitson, who will pursue a career in pediatric nursing in college. “But, even if that doesn’t happened, I wouldn’t be discouraged. We all know how good we are as softball players, and sometimes things don’t go your way, but I’d love to see us make a strong run, keep our great team environment and be able to look back on this season as something to be proud of.”