MCC’s Katie Taylor moving on to play softball at York University
Katie Taylor, a freshman infielder on the MCC softball team, is moving on to play at York University.
"Mostly it has to do with my academics, because I took a lot of courses while I was in high school, and I'm about as far as I can get toward my degree and was looking at other options," said Taylor.
Taylor found an option which allows her to continue playing softball for Coach Roni Miller, not far from home.
"I met with Coach Miller and we actually got to spend the entire day together and she is awesome," said Taylor. "The program seems amazing and I'm really excited."
"We will miss Katie and we were hoping to have her for another year, but it makes sense for her to move on academically," said MCC Coach Mike Mendenhall.
At MCC, Taylor was an elementary education major with an endorsement in special education but wants to eventually move into speech pathology.
One of her fondest memories of her past year at MCC was when Mendenhall was hired.
"Coach Mike came in and saved us in mid-fall," she said.
Taylor played in 44 games as a freshman, hitting .271 with seven steals in nine attempts.
After starting the season with just one hit in her first 14 at bats, she batted .310 in March and .310 in April. One of her better games came April 10 against the Hastings College JVs when she went three-for-three with two steals and an RBI.
"I became so much better of a player with Coach Mendenhall and (assistant) Rachel Conroy's coaching." said Taylor. "I don't think I would have had the opportunity to go to a school like York without their help."
"I am super excited for Katie. She has worked extremely hard in the classroom and on the field for an opportunity like this," said Mendenhall. "I think York College is a great fit her."
The Panthers went 21-22 this past season for coach Miller, who will start her 10th season at York this fall, following a four-year career as a pitcher.