CANTON - After entering the recruiting process late, Grant Reising was not about to let COVID-19 be an additional setback.

“I set goals for myself so I worked to get in shape for travel ball by throwing in the basement,” the sixth-rated 2021 left-handed pitcher in Michigan explained. “I worked on arm strength so when summer came around I’d be able to get some good film out to show to coaches.”

A net in the basement helped bring improvement for the 6-4 185-pound southpaw.

“I worked on pitch grips and release,” Reising related. “I was constantly trying to find ways to get better and I feel I made myself better.

“My curve is the best it’s ever been. I finally developed a change that I’ve worked on for a long time. It’s given me confidence to trust in them and I feel that confidence has translated over to games. I know my pitch is going where I want it to go.”

By early September, Missouri was in contact with the Divine Child High School senior.

“I got in contact with them,” Reising noted. “I sent some video and they liked what they saw. They said they were only looking for a left-handed pitcher right now.”

Reising fits that bill with additional attributes to provide a college program.

“They like my grades,” pointed out Reising, who carries a 4.0 unweighted GPA and is planning on a major in mechanical engineering. “I have the opportunity to get an academic scholarship with it. They also talked to my high school coach and he said how I was a very hard worker and very committed.”

A visit to see family in southern Illinois helped make a decision on attending the Southeastern Conference school a reality.

“We went to see family and my dad and I drove over from there before I was offered to see the campus,” Reising said.

The three-sport athlete in high school liked what he saw and is now committed to Missouri.

“It seemed like every school either had a roster that was full or no money to give, so I wanted to take the opportunity I was given,” Reising noted. “This means a lot to me. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since coming into high school. I know how much work I’ve put in and how many sacrifices, not only I made but my parents and the time and money they spent, and the sore hands my dad had catching me.”

The challenges ahead spur on the 18-year-old even further.

“I like the idea of the competition,” Reising explained. “It’s an opportunity to test myself against the best competition in the country.”

There is more that Reising looks toward with anticipation.

“The pitching coach is very well known so there’s an opportunity to continue improving and become a better baseball player,” Reising said in reference to Fred Corral, who is both recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Missouri.

Oakland and Harvard were other schools under consideration by Reising, who believes college baseball life will bring a lot of enjoyment.

“I’m looking forward to just the experience ... traveling and seeing places that I haven’t seen before,” Reising related. “I can’t wait to see how competitive and intense the games are going to get.”

The top-ranked unsigned 2021 southpaw in Michigan prior to his commitment is happy to have a decision finalized after the late start in recruiting.

“There was a lot to learn about how to be seen,” Reising said. “PBR does a good job showing stats, videos and providing scouting reports, but I found that sending out questionnaires and using them with the showcases helped show what I can offer.

“I spent all summer reaching out to different coaches, so to have my mind made up and know I’m going to a school I’m happy to go to feels great. I don’t have to worry now, I can focus on school and getting better this year so I have a chance to earn playing time whenever college baseball rolls around.”