Recruiting Spotlight: Clemson Bound Taylor Pipkins Hopes to Wear No. 22 for Her Biggest Fan

There are millions of reasons players commit to the college program of their choice and for outstanding senior infielder Taylor Pipkins she could be doing a first in Tigers’ history when she goes there next fall.

Read about her potential ground-breaking wish and why wearing the number 22 means so much to her…

Player: Taylor Pipkins

Class: 2024

Pos: Middle Infield

Club Team: Georgia Impact Premier- Caymol 18U

Club Coach: Mateo Caymol

Committed to: Clemson

College Major: Business

When Committed: Nov. 11, 2022

How Committed: Over the phone

What will your uniform number be: 22

*****

What was it about the Tigers that made you want to go there to play softball?

As soon as I stepped on campus for my visit on October 1st, 2022, I knew it was going to be my future home.

The family culture really shines through the coaching staff. The coaches were extremely personal, and genuinely interest in getting to know my family and me on a personal level. I even got a personalized campus tour with just coach John Rittman, coach Jessie Harper, my mom, and me.

The campus is beautiful, the facilities are amazing, and the people are second none.

The success over the past few years speaks for itself, as the program is fairly new to the college softball world. They have already hosted two regionals, and competed in their first super regional last spring.

So, as an athlete I think it is such an awesome opportunity to built onto the winning atmosphere that has already been created, as well as achieve new things that have never been done before in the program’s history. My goal is to help contribute to the goal of winning a national championship, and coming to Clemson gives me an amazing opportunity to do so.

As a fan looking in, it is clear that the team chemistry is great, and the games I have attended so far shows that the players are having fun playing the game they love, which is another amazing aspect of the program.

Clemson is a dream come true, and as I was on my visit, the little girl in me was jumping with joy after all of the hard work we have put in paid off. My best friend Kylee Johnson is a freshman this year at Clemson. Having her there is a huge bonus, as we have been best friends and throwing partners for over four years. Knowing we get to play with each other again is something I am so thankful for.

Overall, I could not be happier with my decision to commit to Clemson, and the things mentioned here are only a couple of amazing things this program emobdies. I cannot thank the coaching staff enough for giving me this opportunity, and I cannot wait to step on the field wearing Clemson across my chest. Go Tigers!

*****

I started playing softball at four years old, but this was not the first time I had been around the ball field.

My brother who is six years older than me played baseball, and my Dad played men’s softball, therefore, I was at the field all the time. It was my favorite place then, and is my favorite place now. Some things just never change!

I have known from a young age I wanted to play softball at the next level, and ,as the years have gone by, I have done everything to make that little girl’s dream come true.

A huge part of my softball journey was my Papa, who was my biggest supporter. Unfortunately, he passed away in the beginning of 2022, so he was unable to see my accomplish my dream, but I know he is watching every step from up above. My Papa has truly been my motivation in every aspect of my life, but softball is where our bond was the strongest. He would not miss a game, whether it was being present, or watching on Gamechanger, he was always there for me.

When he passed, I knew I needed to work harder than ever to make sure our dreams came true.

That summer after he passed, my travel team, Georgia Impact – Caymol Premier, won the 16U Premier PGF National Championship. I wholeheartedly believe my Papa was on that field with me that day. Our special number we shared is 22, which is the jersey number I have worn since I was a little girl, but now it has a more special meaning. It represents him.

You may call this a coincidence, but I call it fate that Clemson has never had a number 22 in program history, and as of now there is a very big possibility I get to wear that number for my Papa and I throughout my college career. There is no bigger honor than playing for the man I love most every time I step on the filed. He truly has been a huge part of me reaching my dreams, and I hope to make him proud every single day.

My Mom is also a huge supporter of mine, and has been my backbone all of these years I have played. I would not be the player or person I am without her. She is my best friend, and I cannot wait for her to watch me on the big stage.

As you can tell by now, family is my everything, but so are my friends. My teammates deserve all the credit in the world, and I absolutely cannot wait to watch them all at the next level. The culture Coach Teo has built with Georgia Impact is very rare, and I can wholeheartedly say these girls are my best friends for life.

I was about 14 when I joined Coach Teo’s team, making me one of the first players on his team since he returned to coaching. Coach Teo has developed me in more ways than I can even say. I actually tried out for his team as an outfielder, and he transitioned me into a middle infielder which is what I am now going into college to play. I can not thank him enough for the countless hours and effort he has put into getting his players to the next level.

Joining Coach Teo’s team four years ago was truly a blessing!

However, we have a goal this summer, and that is to win another PGF National Championship. Softball is not my identity, but it is something that contributes largely to the person I am. I am forever indebted to this sport, and forever grateful for the people and opportunities it has given me over the years.

Taylor

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