Sophomore Paige Taylor of the Marshalltown Community College softball team has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Alcorn State University Lady Braves program.
Alcorn State, a NCAA Division I program in Lorman, Mississippi, is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Led by head coach Josef Rankin, the Lady Braves posted a second-place finish in the SWAC East in 2016.
"Alcorn State will be a totally new experience that I'm looking forward to," Taylor stated. "Coach Rankin has been there for a while and seems like a great coach. Going to the next level is going to be a challenge for me that I'm excited for. I get to play against some strong competition that I'm ready to take on."
Taylor proved to be one of the most prolific pitchers in MCC history over the past two seasons. The sophomore wrapped up her stellar career with a pair of no-hitters in 2017, including a 3-0 shutout of Iowa Western Community College on Sophomore Day. Taylor has won a total of 31 games in the circle throughout her career and has struck 292 batters along the way.
As a freshman, Taylor earned NJCAA All-Region XI Second-Team honors and was named to the NJCAA Academic All-Region XI First-Team. Taylor's no-hitter over Iowa Western this year earned her Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Pitcher of the Week honors. As a sophomore, Taylor was awarded the Outstanding Accounting Student of the Year award.
"Marshalltown has probably been one of the best experiences of my whole life," Taylor continued. "I've met some people here that have changed my life forever. I feel like MCC has really helped me figure out who I am and what I want in my life, both on the field and in the classroom."
Head coach Garland Shirley commended Taylor for owning her craft both on the field and across campus. "Having Paige become a part of the MCC program last fall was a huge step for us moving in the right direction. She has been the ultimate competitor and a great ambassador for MCC both on the field and in the classroom. It has been as much of an honor for us to have her as it has been for her to play here."
Taylor, who will graduate from MCC with an accounting degree, intends to continue her studies in the accounting track at Alcorn State. Taylor recognized MCC accounting professor Ted Lewis for his contributions to her success in the classroom the last two years. "I want to go into the accounting field and Mr. Lewis really helped me reach the next step."
Take a look at the final out from Paige Taylor's no-hitter and @MCCTigers_SB 3-0 victory in game one over @ReiverSoftball! pic.twitter.com/zebrmWw5CY
— Marshalltown Tigers (@MCC_ATH) April 23, 2017
