Taylor leads Missouri as postseason play draws near

The junior leads MU with a .461 batting average and humble attitude.

By Zach Mink

Published April 30, 2010

Missouri junior centerfielder Rhea Taylor is used to being in the spotlight. As an underclassman, Taylor led the Tigers by example by putting up extraordinary numbers and winning numerous awards.

Now, as an upperclassman, Taylor must lead a young Missouri squad that is struggling to find its groove as the postseason lurks just around the corner.

But, Taylor lets her game do all the talking.

"I'm not the one to get in your face and yell at you," Taylor said. "There are other leaders on the team that fall into leadership roles off the field and during practice. I'm more of a leader on the field than anything."

As a freshman, Taylor set a Big 12 record with 57 stolen bases and received the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award as well as second team All-American honors.

In her sophomore year, Taylor continued to lead the Tigers, hitting a team-best .404 and scoring 1.04 runs per game.

Now in her third year, the Georgia native has paced the Tiger offense, batting .461 with seven home runs and 29 stolen bases. Taylor also surpassed the all-time Missouri stolen base and runs scored leaders, taking her place in Tiger softball history.

Taylor expressed her happiness at the success that she has found with the Tigers.

"It feels great," Taylor said. "Coming in, I didn't really know what was to be expected, and a lot of people didn't. But I was on a mission when I came here. I came to get better and play D-1 softball for a big-time school."

As the leadoff hitter, Taylor acts as the engine for the offense. With an on base percentage nearing .500, Taylor seems to always find her way on base.

Coach Ehren Earleywine acknowledged how important Taylor is to the Missouri offense.

"She's our catalyst," Earleywine said. "She sets the tone for our offense. She's an All-American caliber kid, and she's arguably the best leadoff hitter in softball. As she goes, our offense goes, and it's important to have someone like that at the top of your lineup."

Despite the awards and success, Taylor still believes she is nowhere near her full potential.

"I know I can do better," Taylor said. "I don't set the bar, and neither does Coach E or even my dad. My dad is always telling me that I don't even know how good I really am, and I don't believe I've gotten to the top yet."

Taylor went 2-for-3 against Central Methodist on Thursday, extending her hitting streak to 14 straight games. She has also had two or more hits in nine consecutive games.

Pitchers sophomore Kristin Nottelmann and senior Jana Hainey join Taylor in helping keep the Tigers afloat in the Big 12. Nottelmann leads the team with 15 wins this season and a 2.18 ERA. The sophomore said she has confidence the team can go far this postseason.

"We can make it to the College World Series," Nottelmann said. "We just have to believe we can. We're a little too uptight, but once we hit the Big 12 tournament everything's a clean slate."