University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
A Farewell to My College Softball Days
6/12/2018 10:00:00 AM | Softball
A Farewell to My College Softball Days
Written By: McKayla Taylor
Since I was a newborn, sports were always a part of my life. No matter how many sports I played throughout the years, one always stuck out to me. That was the game of softball.
As a young girl I never imagined that the days spent with my grandfather in his den with a rolled up pair of socks as a ball, a ruler in my hands as a bat, and sliding into the TV waiting for my grandma to come in and yell at us not to break anything, would turn into reality and change my life for the better.
The best thing this game led me to was the University of Pittsburgh. The second I stepped off the plane in Pittsburgh for the first time six years ago, I knew this was where I was supposed to spend my college days. From the coaching staff, to the administration, to the girls on the team – it was everything I needed. Pitt was all I wanted in a school on the outside, and the memories, experiences, and people I've met these past years was something I could have never imagined. Everything my family and I have done to help me reach the collegiate softball level was worth it because it led me to where I am today.
Now here I am, reflecting on possibly the most influential four years of my career. I knew my college softball days would end eventually, but I never expected that postseason in my senior year would be ripped from my hands. I've experienced the highest of highs and most definitely the lowest of lows, but during those low times is when I received the most love, especially from my teammates. No matter how this past season may have ended, the amount of love and support this team has for one another will always matter more. I can honestly say that without these girls by my side every step of the way, my college career would have been a completely different story.
Being a part of this year's team made me realize what it's truly like to play for more than just myself and that this game is so much bigger than that. It allowed me to continue my growth in my faith and, with my teammates by my side, bringing that to the softball field and throughout our games.
As we parted our separate ways and said our goodbyes, I realized that I didn't just acquire teammates. Being a part of this team meant I also acquired a family that was always there for me to lean on when I needed them the most. As I leave this chapter behind, it has given me some of the hardest "see you laters" that I have ever had.
The thought of never putting on a Pitt script uniform again, never being able to step on the dirt with these girls once more, and most importantly, never being a part of this team again makes me realize how blessed I was to be a Panther. To say all the hard work paid off is an understatement. Every early morning conditioning session, late night BP, long practices, strenuous travel weekends and the blood, sweat and tears were all worth it.
Even though our season and my college career ended on a heartbreaking and confusing note, there was so much more to look back on when I think about not just the past four years, but also the past 19 years softball has been a part of my life.
When most people hear the word softball they simply think of it as a game but for us who play this sport, it is much more than just a game. I thank God every day for leading me to choose the game of softball because it has given me a sense of adventure, the opportunity of a lifetime, the ability to fight through adversity and has allowed me to enjoy 19 years worth of great memories so far.
So for that, I thank you softball, and am forever grateful for the path you led me down.
As always, hail to Pitt.
McKayla Taylor
Written By: McKayla Taylor
Since I was a newborn, sports were always a part of my life. No matter how many sports I played throughout the years, one always stuck out to me. That was the game of softball.
As a young girl I never imagined that the days spent with my grandfather in his den with a rolled up pair of socks as a ball, a ruler in my hands as a bat, and sliding into the TV waiting for my grandma to come in and yell at us not to break anything, would turn into reality and change my life for the better.
The best thing this game led me to was the University of Pittsburgh. The second I stepped off the plane in Pittsburgh for the first time six years ago, I knew this was where I was supposed to spend my college days. From the coaching staff, to the administration, to the girls on the team – it was everything I needed. Pitt was all I wanted in a school on the outside, and the memories, experiences, and people I've met these past years was something I could have never imagined. Everything my family and I have done to help me reach the collegiate softball level was worth it because it led me to where I am today.
Now here I am, reflecting on possibly the most influential four years of my career. I knew my college softball days would end eventually, but I never expected that postseason in my senior year would be ripped from my hands. I've experienced the highest of highs and most definitely the lowest of lows, but during those low times is when I received the most love, especially from my teammates. No matter how this past season may have ended, the amount of love and support this team has for one another will always matter more. I can honestly say that without these girls by my side every step of the way, my college career would have been a completely different story.
Being a part of this year's team made me realize what it's truly like to play for more than just myself and that this game is so much bigger than that. It allowed me to continue my growth in my faith and, with my teammates by my side, bringing that to the softball field and throughout our games.
As we parted our separate ways and said our goodbyes, I realized that I didn't just acquire teammates. Being a part of this team meant I also acquired a family that was always there for me to lean on when I needed them the most. As I leave this chapter behind, it has given me some of the hardest "see you laters" that I have ever had.
The thought of never putting on a Pitt script uniform again, never being able to step on the dirt with these girls once more, and most importantly, never being a part of this team again makes me realize how blessed I was to be a Panther. To say all the hard work paid off is an understatement. Every early morning conditioning session, late night BP, long practices, strenuous travel weekends and the blood, sweat and tears were all worth it.
Even though our season and my college career ended on a heartbreaking and confusing note, there was so much more to look back on when I think about not just the past four years, but also the past 19 years softball has been a part of my life.
When most people hear the word softball they simply think of it as a game but for us who play this sport, it is much more than just a game. I thank God every day for leading me to choose the game of softball because it has given me a sense of adventure, the opportunity of a lifetime, the ability to fight through adversity and has allowed me to enjoy 19 years worth of great memories so far.
So for that, I thank you softball, and am forever grateful for the path you led me down.
As always, hail to Pitt.
McKayla Taylor
Players Mentioned
INF
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