University of Missouri Athletics

Taylor was a key figure in helping elevate Mizzou’s softball program into one of the nation’s elite during her four years under Coach Ehren Earleywine. She helped lead the Tigers to three-straight Women’s College World Series (2009-11). She was a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-American (second team in 2008, third team in both 2010 and 2011), joining pitcher Chelsea Thomas as the only three-time All-Americans in program history. She was a four-time NFCA all-Midwest selection – the only Tiger in history so recognized. The Buford, Georgia product was also a four-time all-Big 12 Conference selection. Taylor perfected the art of the slap hit and used her speed to regularly reach base, making her one of the nation’s most feared leadoff hitters. She set Mizzou career records in batting average (.402), hits (315), runs (234) and stolen bases (184), and developed into one of the nation’s best center fielders. She hit a school-record .452 as a junior in 2010 and that year had an 18-game hitting streak. She also set MU single-season records for hits (88), runs (64) and stolen bases (57) – all achieved during her freshman season of 2008, when she won the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year Award. She was named to the 2010 Women’s College World Series all-tournament team and was twice a Big 12 all-tournament selection.