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AUBURN, AL — The Ole Miss baseballsuper regional against Auburn is hugely important to Dom Decker's family members, but they know how to keep things in perspective.
In March 2012, the Decker family made national news after a tornado leveled their home in Henryville, Indiana.
Stephanie Decker, Dom's mom, covered Dom, 8, and his sister Reese, 5 as the tornado struck. Stephanie was struck by falling debris and had to get both legs amputated.
There were 140 reported tornadoes across the region and 39 deaths from the outbreak.
"It puts baseball in perspective but it also teaches us a lot about perseverance," Stephanie Decker said before Game 1 on June 5. "Adversity. Dealing with difficult situations. I think that's what Dominic has done his entire life since he was 8 years old. He's had to face adversity and difficult situations. We've learned to adapt, adjust and really excel in those situations."
Stephanie Decker is a mainstay in the bleachers. Stephanie and Joe, Dom's father, have travel to almost every Ole Miss game in 2026 since Dom transferred from Murray State.
Dom Decker is Ole Miss' second baseman and leadoff batter.
Joe Decker recently retired as a math teacher. He has coached baseball for 30 years in high school and at NAIA Indiana University Southeast. Joe and Stephanie were thrilled watching the Rebels win the Lincoln Regional in a 3-0 sweep.
The tornado, though, has changed their perception of what is truly important forever.
"I think that's one thing it really did for us as a family," Joe Decker said. "I was always coaching. Our daughter (Reese) she grew up always in a dugout. After that, you are kind of like, 'It's just a baseball game.' Yeah it's important but it's not life and death. He's been through a lot worse. I think everything really got put in perspective for him and our family that day."
Stephanie Decker has been on the cover of People Magazine. She is a motivational speaker through the Stephanie Decker Foundation. The Deckers were invited to the White House to meet with President Biden.
Decker has been an everyday starter for the Rebels in 2026. He is batting .273 with 10 home runs. He has 50 walks and 45 strikeouts. Decker hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to clinch the Lincoln Regional against Arizona State.
"It's been amazing," Stephanie Decker said. "That kid has a passion for baseball. A grit for baseball that I think is unique. Especially because I'm his mom. I can say that. He's worked really, really hard to get where he's at and he deserves every bit of the reward and happiness that he's gotten. I'm so happy for him to see him succeed and see what his potential is in the SEC.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball 2B Dom Decker's life changed by tornado, mom says
Continue reading...
In March 2012, the Decker family made national news after a tornado leveled their home in Henryville, Indiana.
Stephanie Decker, Dom's mom, covered Dom, 8, and his sister Reese, 5 as the tornado struck. Stephanie was struck by falling debris and had to get both legs amputated.
There were 140 reported tornadoes across the region and 39 deaths from the outbreak.
"It puts baseball in perspective but it also teaches us a lot about perseverance," Stephanie Decker said before Game 1 on June 5. "Adversity. Dealing with difficult situations. I think that's what Dominic has done his entire life since he was 8 years old. He's had to face adversity and difficult situations. We've learned to adapt, adjust and really excel in those situations."
Stephanie Decker is a mainstay in the bleachers. Stephanie and Joe, Dom's father, have travel to almost every Ole Miss game in 2026 since Dom transferred from Murray State.
Dom Decker is Ole Miss' second baseman and leadoff batter.
Joe Decker recently retired as a math teacher. He has coached baseball for 30 years in high school and at NAIA Indiana University Southeast. Joe and Stephanie were thrilled watching the Rebels win the Lincoln Regional in a 3-0 sweep.
The tornado, though, has changed their perception of what is truly important forever.
"I think that's one thing it really did for us as a family," Joe Decker said. "I was always coaching. Our daughter (Reese) she grew up always in a dugout. After that, you are kind of like, 'It's just a baseball game.' Yeah it's important but it's not life and death. He's been through a lot worse. I think everything really got put in perspective for him and our family that day."
Stephanie Decker has been on the cover of People Magazine. She is a motivational speaker through the Stephanie Decker Foundation. The Deckers were invited to the White House to meet with President Biden.
Decker has been an everyday starter for the Rebels in 2026. He is batting .273 with 10 home runs. He has 50 walks and 45 strikeouts. Decker hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to clinch the Lincoln Regional against Arizona State.
"It's been amazing," Stephanie Decker said. "That kid has a passion for baseball. A grit for baseball that I think is unique. Especially because I'm his mom. I can say that. He's worked really, really hard to get where he's at and he deserves every bit of the reward and happiness that he's gotten. I'm so happy for him to see him succeed and see what his potential is in the SEC.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball 2B Dom Decker's life changed by tornado, mom says
Continue reading...
