Alumni Spotlight: Darlene Gareis

June 5, 2015

Gamecock History

Four-year letter-winner 1992-95
Two-time NFCA All-Region pitcher (1994 first team, 1995 second team)
South Carolina’s career wins leader (102)
Second in SC history in appearances (155), starts (131) and fewest walks per 7 innings (1.15)
Tossed three no-hitters and five one-hitters in her career

Darlene Gareis came to Columbia from Pennsville, N.J., after connecting with coach Joyce Compton over her roots in the Garden State.
One of her favorite memories came from tying and breaking a record on the same day in a doubleheader.
That record, the wins record, came on Senior Day 1995 in a doubleheader against Furman, becoming the first Gamecock with 100 victories in the circle.
She loves the alumni outreach the team is doing, making her and others still feel a part of the program.

Gareis, now Truesdale, is married and lives in Chapin, S.C.
Her and her husband have twins and three cats.
The twins are battery-mates; Haley is a catcher, and Tracy pitches.
Truesdale works at a fastpitch academy and with senior citizens in the county for the recreation department.

Interview conducted by Aubrey Rabun