Sports
Gunther Growing on Mound
This sophomore pitcher shines and others are taking note, despite the Coyotes' losing softball season.
No one said things were going to be easy for Taylor Gunther.
The sophomore pitcher for the Calabasas High softball team assumed the role of staff ace early on this season. Although Gunther has struggled at times against some formidable opponents, she's also learned plenty along the way.
"Taylor is improving all the time,'' Coyotes coach Barbara Hofer said after Thursday's 5-2 Marmonte League loss to visiting Simi Valley.
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And therein lies the key: Improving.
Expecting Gunther to develop and emerge as a legitimate star right away for the Coyotes (5-14 overall, 0-10 league) is somewhat unreasonable. She is, after all, facing some of the top teams around on a daily basis.
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In fact, the Marmonte League is absolutely loaded with talented batters. When playing the likes of teams such as Simi Valley, Agoura or Royal, there are no easy outs.
Nevertheless, Gunther has managed to do rather well.
Her 4-7 overall record is a bit misleading. When looking closer at Gunther's statistics, it's easy to see the positives. In 64-plus innings of work, she has a 2.85 ERA and 62 strikeouts.
"Taylor is a competitor, and as a coach, you love having a player with that type of mentality on your team,'' Hofer said. "She's gotten her feet wet, so to speak, and is only getting better. She's a workhorse for us.''
"She's used to seeing some top-line batters who are used to facing top-line pitching. To her credit, she's held her own.''
It's worth mentioning that the first time she went up against league-leading Simi Valley, in late March, the game was close. Gunther gave up five hits and was charged with an earned run. Ultimately, the Coyotes lost, 4-0.
A day later, against second-place Royal, she put up a good fight against the Highlanders. When all was said and done, Gunther ended up scattering five hits and allowed an earned run before suffering a 2-0 loss.
If those two outings are any indication of what's in store for the next couple of seasons, she figures to be fine.
"Gunther is pretty good,'' Simi Valley coach Russ Michael said. "She's trying to prove herself to her teammates and her opponents. She's going to be someone everyone has to reckon with in a year or two. Watch out.''
