RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
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ABOUT
On March 9th of this year, Extra Inning Softball did a spotlight in our The Last Inning series on then-sophomore Taylor Troutman, the 5-foot-11 power-hitting outfielder from Kentucky.
In that article, we learned that she has some fun nicknames derived from her last name including “Trout” and “Troutfish,” and well as her initials “TT.”
And then there’s one we were curious about—“Tater”—which would make sense as she came in a as a freshman last year at Henderson County (Ky.) High and promptly smashed the school’s home run and RBI records.
But that nickname, which can refer to home runs, has more to do with food than fastpitch, “Tater,” umm, “Taylor” explains.
“That nickname started when I first started softball,” she laughs and adds: “I was called ‘Tater Tot’ then it ended up shortening up to just Tater!’
Today, the athlete has a new description that she loves even more: “Mississippi State commit.”
The junior told the coaches on an evening call that she wanted to play in Starkville, and made it public on Saturday, Sept. 24th, two weekends ago.
So what are is program getting in Taylor, who was ranked in the Top 20 of the 2024 Extra Elite 100 that was released last month?
“Taylor is a very humble young lady who wants the best for all of those around her,” says her club coach, Bob Turner of Top Gun National. “She genuinely cares for others and loves to see them successful and happy.”
“It’s a privilege to coach a player who competes at an elite level, while also being a first-class human being. Taylor is a joy to be around, and we know she will make a tremendous impact at Mississippi State, just as she has here at Top Gun!”
Here’s a closer look…
*****
Name: TAYLOR TROUTMAN
Hometown/ST: Henderson, Kentucky
Grad Year: 2024
Position(s): Outfielder
Club Team: Top Gun
High School (City/ST): Henderson (Ky.) High
GPA: 4.0
College: Mississippi State University
Top Honors/Accomplishments: Broke the career home run record, single season home run record and most RBIs in a single season for her high school as a freshman.
Preferred College Major: Elementary Education
So, Taylor… anything new or exciting happen in your life lately?
I committed to Mississippi State University! Hail State🐶
How exciting that you’re going to MSU! Walk us through how the staff first found and contacted you…
Coach (Samantha) Ricketts emailed me at midnight and then we set a time to call I loved talking to her and then I talked to Coach (Tyler) Bratton the next day which also was a good call. Lastly, we set up a Zoom with all the coaches on September 7th and I committed two weeks later. Now the rest is history!
What were the circumstances when you told them? It had to be a magical time for you and all your family!
I actually committed on September 18th around 9:30 at night. I didn’t announce it until I went on my visit on September 24th.
What were the ultimate factors that led to your choosing MSU?
A lot of things went into me choosing Mississippi State… some of them were that it felt like home, it has an elementary school on campus and that’s what I want to major in and they have an awesome group of coaches and girls!
Being from Kentucky… what does it mean to you to play in the SEC?
Playing in the SEC has always been a dream of mine that I always wanted to accomplish. I decided to work for it and now I’m accomplishing it!
You once said that you “fell in love with the team and the atmosphere” of Top Gun… what makes Bob Turner’s bunch so special in your opinion?
The team truly cares about you and they want the best for you. I am super close with all the girls and even though they live nowhere near me, I can always text them and they will always lend a listening ear.
What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
My most memorable moment was when I broke the home run and RBI single season record in one pitch against our rival team or when I played in the futures game in California!
If you were a coach and evaluating YOU, would you say are your strengths on the field? And what did the college coaches recruiting you say they like about your game?
My strength on the field is my bat. I am a power hitting lefty that likes to cause damage on the field!
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year (your senior year) on and/or off the field?
Yes, one of them was committing to my dream school and I already accomplished that! Some others are that I want to break my home run and RBI record again. I also want to help my teams win some trophies for travel and high school ball.
Do you have any softball superstitions?
I only have one, I have to walk up to the batter’s box and do the same exact thing every time before I hit.
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
You only have one life, make it memorable and find your happiness.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
On the field: Energetic.
Off the field: Caring.
If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
Wow, that’s difficult! I would definitely donate some, give some of it to my family to spend with me, buy more Mississippi State gear, and then just go shopping for whatever that’s leftover.
If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
Sadie Robertson (the actress and Christian media personality)… I want her to teach me more about the Lord!
What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball?
I love playing in Colorado. There are mountains right beside the softball fields and I love it.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
The biggest obstacle I had to face was when my grandad passed away before season in 2021. I dedicated my high school season to him and had one of the best seasons playing for him.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you?
I would want to have my Bible with me because God is with you every step of the way!
Finally, when we covered you earlier this year, you mentioned you juggle!… still working on that skill or have you not had the time?
I still always juggle when I’m just sitting around doing nothing! It is really fun for me! I haven’t learned more tricks in a while but I definitely want to learn more!
EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s your favorite softball item (like preferred bat, glove, etc.)?
My bat, it’s like my little baby!
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
My sweatshirts, they are so comfy.
Favorite school subject:
Math.
Best way to unwind is…
Listening to worship music.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
Me on Your Mind by Matthew West
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Sadie Robertson.
Favorite college uniform (and why):
I got to say Mississippi States uniforms because they will be my future uniforms one day.
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Cereal.
What drives you to play the game of softball?
The next generation so I can inspire them!
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I have learned that I can accomplish more things than I thought I could.
Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically: My father and also Coach Bob Turner.
Non-athletically: My mother.
When you leave the sport, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I want to be remembered as being a person that helps and inspires people. When I am finished playing the game, I want to coach the next generation!