Sports
Softball's Taylor Surpasses 1,000 Career Strikeouts in Perfect Game
Strikes out 14 in third perfect game of season.
With her strikeout of Allison Costa in the bottom of the third inning, Lindsay Taylor notched her 1,000th strikeout of her illustrious career at Kings Park.
Her teammates and coaches came out to congratulate her after she fanned Costa, sharing the milestone with their star pitcher.
"The girls that have been playing with me for a long time are proud of me," said Taylor. "They helped me get to where I am."
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The senior, who threw a five-inning perfect game before the game was called due to a mercy rule, struck out 14 of the 15 Astronauts she faced. It was her third perfect game this season and her seventh in her five-year career.
"She’s a dedicated hard worker," said head coach Kim McGinley. "She’s been with us for five years, and she’s taken this whole program to the next level. It’s her love, her passion."
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Taylor, who will continue her career at Syracuse University next season, has averaged over 14 strikeouts per game this season and has led Kings Park (11-1) to the top spot in League V, starting every game.
In addition to her nearly unhittable prowess in the circle, she has excelled at the plate. Taylor went 2-for-5 at the plate, knocking in four RBI. In the bottom of the third inning, Taylor crushed a three-run home run to left center field. The homer was her team-leading fifth of the season.
"She’s a two-dimensional player," said McGinley. "She’s not just in the circle, she does it with her stick too."
Taylor has worked tirelessly to hone her craft. She has met with her pitching coach once a week since she was in the sixth grade. The results, all 1,006 of them, speak for themselves.
"I’m constantly working, constantly pitching and working on perfecting on my pitches," she said. "I’ve been working really hard for it. I’m very proud."
Kings Park jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Section XI rules state that if a team is winning by 10 runs after the fifth inning the game will be called. The Lady Kingsmen were up 13-0 after the third.
