Longtime Extra Inning Softball blog writer Taylor Pannell, a Top 10 honoree in the 2022 Extra Elite 100 when it came out last year, continues to show why she’s one of the top players in the senior class.
Last Spring, the Rock Island (Illinois) High infielder led the state with 17 home runs and also batted .574 with 61 runs scored, 29 bases stolen and scored 61 runs. She was also feared so much she was walked intentionally 20 times!
For her Georgia Impact – Lewis club team this summer the Tennessee Vols commit hit .488 with 11 home runs and stole 23 bases and showed she’s a force with the glove too as she didn’t make one defensive error all summer.
Like many in the 2022 class, Taylor is recognizing that the 2021-22 season will be her last before heading off to college—in her case, to play in the SEC.
Here’s what she thinks about what will be her final sweep through high school and travel ball competition…
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In one week I start my very last travel ball season.
It’s really crazy to think about: for all these years, I’ve never once thought about this and now the reality is starting to set in. I’ve been playing softball for over 10 years and never imagined how this would end; I can’t believe this is my last year of travel ball and it is here now!
I don’t think I will ever be ready to leave travel ball behind with all the memories and friendships I have made.
I started out playing on a local team called Heartland Havoc, then driving three hours every weekend to Chicago for practice with my Beverly Bandit team. Now when my Georgia Impact – Lewis team has practice, we fly to practice in Georgia to meet up with my Georgia Impact teammates.
When I was little my family and I would have never even considered flying to all these tournaments or practices every weekend to play the sport I love, but making that family sacrifice has made me who I am as a player and has changed my life. These past 10 years I have made so many lifelong friends on the teams I have played on from 10U to 18U and, up to today, I still have so many of the same friends and teammates. I can’t imagine playing without them.
I am so grateful I get to finish my travel ball career playing with some of my best friends, to be able to have Jaydyn Goodwin and Mia Williams as my friends and finish out what we start with PGF Champions with Mojo – Fisher and have another shot with Georgia Impact – Lewis.
This upcoming summer is my last, but it will be one to remember!
Making memories with my friends is another thing I will miss. I have made so many incredible memories traveling the country with my teammates and that is something I will cherish forever.
Even if it’s just going out to dinner after the games or hanging out in each other’s hotel rooms and running the halls. Or all the time we spent making videos or taking pictures over the years… I just never thought about them as life memories but now knowing that this is all coming to an end makes me appreciate so much those incredible experiences that will last forever.
Scroll down to read what two events Taylor will particularly miss attending…
