Hannah Taylor
Hannah Taylor spent several weeks this summer in Florida, not for vacation, but to improve on her softball.
The 2023 Hauser graduate wrapped up her freshman season with Eastern Illinois this spring and played for the Sarasota Circus in the Florida Gulf Coast League for several weeks during the summer. Taylor hopes the experience will help springboard her into a much improved sophomore season at her new school, IU Columbus.
The Sarasota Circus is one of nine teams that make up the Florida Gulf League as part of the American Collegiate League. It features college players, including incoming freshmen, for all divisions in college. Taylor mentioned having teammates from Florida, Florida State and LSU, as well as players from smaller schools.
Taylor said she got involved when a friend asked her if she wanted to play. She then contacted the league and found herself on the roster. Taylor said she enjoyed playing for Sarasota Circus, but if another opportunity comes next year, she’d play closer to home.
“I thought it was a great experience,” Taylor said. “It was good for getting reps and seeing live balls, and I got to meet a lot of new girls and to just help me stay in the game and not get rusty.”
Taylor was part of the EIU team that finished 40-17 overall and 22-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference this spring.
As far as her next year of college goes, Taylor made the decision recently to come back home and play softball at IU Columbus. Her sister Katie played for the Crimson Pride during the 2023 season.
Hannah Taylor was glad for the first year of college experience she had at the Charleston, Illinois, campus.
“I really loved it. I loved all the girls and the coaches,” Taylor said. “It reminded a lot of Hauser because everyone was real close with each other. We all had a good relationship. We had a good season. We won conference and made it to the tournament, so we did well.”
