It’s a lesson Raeanne Hanks mastered during a spectacular pitching career at Rainier High School: If your fastball ain’t working, go to Plan B.

Hanks, a 2009 graduate and three-time all-state honoree, signed a national letter of intent to play fastpitch softball for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Sunday.

Hanks had originally signed with the University of Vermont last November. But Vermont announced in February that it would be discontinuing baseball and softball as part of a University-wide budget management plan.

Hanks, who had visited Vermont’s campus in November and even purchased a UVM Catamounts sweatshirt, was startled.

“It was very frustrating,” she said. “To think you have something figured out, and then to have it change, it was a shock.”

But Hanks didn’t dawdle. She and her club coach, Steve Wallo, began sending mass emails to a variety of schools and posted videos of Hanks pitching on youtube.com.

“We did this immediately after Vermont cut fastpitch,” Hanks said.

Hanks talked to coaches from several schools, but made only one official visit: to Greensboro. She caught her flight on May 5, hours after helping Rainier sweep rival Clatskanie in a league doubleheader. Hanks pitched a complete game in the nightcap and went 4-4, then headed to the airport.

“I almost missed that game,” she said.

Hanks spent the weekend at Greensboro and watched the Spartans play three games. She loved the weather, the natural beauty of the region, and felt a strong connection with several players and coaches from the team.

“I loved it,” Hanks said, “but I still wasn’t certain. I still had a couple other options I wanted to look into first.”

Over the next six weeks, Hanks talked to a variety of other schools, “just to explore all of my options,” she said.

“I knew I liked (UNC-Greensboro) a lot,” Hanks added. “I was just trying to make sure.”

Ultimately, Hanks trusted her gut.

“I could just sort of see myself there,” she explained. “The coaches were really excited talking to me. It just felt right.”

Hanks made a verbal commitment to the school on June 8 and completed her official paperwork last weekend.

“It felt very nice,” she said. “It’s a weight off of my shoulder.”

Hanks received an athletic scholarship to play for the Spartans, who compete in the Southland Conference. Hanks plans on pursuing a career in social services or education.

Hanks, the daughter of Laurie Womack and Ken Hanks, moved to Rainier just before her sixth-grade year. She has been involved in sports all her life, and played volleyball and basketball for Rainier in addition to softball.

Hanks pitched Rainier to a pair of state semifinal appearances, as a sophomore and again this spring as a senior.