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Pleasant Home School alumna Emily Taylor has loved softball since she was young, and that passion for pitching led her to sign with LBW Community College Monday, May 23.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my softball career into college because I have always dreamed of playing this sport at the next level. I am looking forward to building relationships with my new teammates. I have taken several classes at LBW for the past two years and already had plans to attend LBW in the fall. When Coach Wiggins offered me a scholarship to play there, I was very excited. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to continue my softball career close to family and friends,” Taylor said.

While she is grateful to continue her softball career with the Saints, she will miss playing for the Lady Eagles.

“This opportunity means so much to me because it is a chance for me to continue to grow and better myself as a player at the collegiate level. I have played with this group of seniors my whole life along with a few of my other teammates. I have formed strong bonds with them over the years, so I am really going to miss playing with them and being around them every day. The biggest highlight of my high school career was pitching two 7-inning games back-to-back at home against Kinston to win the area tournament.”

Taylor added that the support of her family and friends means everything. “It has helped me get to where I am today. My parents have always pushed me and encouraged me to do my very best and give 110 percent in everything I do.”

She is the daughter of Anthony and Laura Taylor and said her father was the biggest influence in her life.

“He shows what it means to work hard to get what you want and to never give up. He has instilled those beliefs in me in everyday life and on the field. Dad has coached me my entire life in rec ball, travel ball, and this year, high school ball. He has helped shape me into the person and player I am today, and without him, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am.”

Taylor graduated from PHS on Thursday, May 26, and played at first base when she was not pitching. Her softball journey began at the age of seven, and she learned to pitch when she was eight. “At first, I was just playing because I enjoyed it and had friends that played, but then, I fell in love with the pitching aspects of the game,” she said.

“Emily has the most determination and one of the hardest work ethics I’ve seen. With her high school team, she took on a role that wasn’t as familiar to her, but she handled it with fierce dedication and also excelled at it. That’s when I knew I needed to allow her the opportunity to continue her softball career with LBW. I am excited to coach a player such as Emily and see what her future holds,” LBWCC Head Softball Coach Kaitlynn Wiggins said.