Cara Taylor flourishing as collegiate softball player
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Each time Cara Taylor walks to the plate, her teammates in the dugout sing in unison lyrics from 'Girl on Fire' by artist Alicia Keys.
One reference in the song goes accordingly, 'Better look the other way. You can try, but you will never forget her name. She is on top of the world.'
Those words fit Taylor like a glove.
Wednesday in an Ohio Athletic Conference softball doubleheader at Marietta College, Muskingum University freshman returned to the Mid-Ohio Valley for the first time since her senior year at Waterford High School where she left her mark both on the basketball court and softball diamond.
"Playing against Marietta, it's weird being here and playing on this field (for the first time)," Taylor said. "Coming back home, so to speak, is really special because I know a lot of people are here watching. I have friends in Waterford following me. There was a girl I played with in high school who texted me saying they were watching my game while they scrimmaged at practice."
Batting out of the No. 3 hole in the batting order for the first time this season, Taylor continued to impress - going 4-for-6 with a triple, two runs scored and three runs batted in as the Muskies split the two games.
Taylor's transition to collegiate sports has taken off since the day she arrived on campus in New Concord, Ohio.
"Softball is definitely a faster game at this level," Taylor said. "But at the same time, that makes the game more fun."
Whether it's batting lead-off, fifth or at the tail-end of the order, Taylor's numbers are among the elite in the OAC.
Following Wednesday's road doubleheader, Taylor ranked fourth in the league in batting average (.447) and on-base percentage (.505). She also ranked among the top 10 in doubles (8), triples (2) and slugging percentage (.606).
As a full-time starter in the outfield, Taylor is definitely catching the attention of opposing teams. One member in the Marietta College press box was quoted as saying, 'We just can't get that girl out.'
"It took me a little bit to settle into college," Taylor said. "I was very nervous my first few at-bats. As I am able to produce, I feel I am settling in.
"Coming into the program, I was going to do whatever my coach wanted me to do. I'm happy to step up."
Taylor delivered in a clutch situation in Muskingum's win in the opener on Wednesday. With Marietta mounting a comeback and trailing 5-4 in the top of the seventh inning, Taylor stepped to the plate with two outs and runners at first and second base.
Marietta pitcher Jillian Middleton threw nothing but hard stuff to Taylor then tried to sneak a change-up through, but Taylor barreled the offering into right-center field for a two-run triple, which secured the Muskies' 7-4 win.
"My approach was to foul off anything, but be ready for that change-up," Taylor said. "So when I saw the change-up coming, I knew that's a ball I could hit."
With three OAC doubleheaders remaining in the regular season, Muskingum (21-9 overall) is locked in a three-way tie for second place with Mount Union and Marietta at 8-4. Ohio Northern sits atop the standings at 9-3.
"Coming into Marietta and being in a five-way tie for first place makes you hungry," Taylor said. "It's bringing the teams even closer. We are playing for each other."
Even with her success as a member of the state champion girls basketball team at Waterford, Taylor knew softball was a sport which would take her places. After appearing in all 30 Muskingum games and filling the stat sheet as frequently as she has, the decision was spot on.
"I knew softball was what I wanted to do in the long run," Taylor said. "Playing college softball is so much fun. I love the overall environment."
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com