Ricketts Announces Signing of Dual-Threat Pitcher Kylie Taylor
November 27, 2019 | Softball
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – After averaging 133 strikeouts per season in her first three years of high school, Kylie Taylor will join the Mississippi State softball program in 2021.
"Kylie had been on our radar for a long time, and we are excited to finally get her on campus in Starkville," Ricketts said. "She bleeds maroon and white and will bring a lot of pride to the Bulldogs faithful while representing her home state of Mississippi."
Taylor spent three seasons at Ocean Springs High School where she put up gaudy numbers from her very first season both in the circle and at the plate. She batted .469 with five home runs on her way to driving in 31 runs.
Ocean Springs went 24-3 on the year, and Taylor posted a 17-0 record in the circle. She struck out 167 batters while maintaining a .974 fielding percentage with just one error on the year. Following the season, she was named team MVP.
As a sophomore, she stepped it up at the plate, hitting .506 with 10 home runs. Taylor drove in 47 runs and posted an impressive 1.514 OPS. Once again, the Lucedale, Mississippi, native struck out more than 100 batters and held opponents below a .200 batting average for the season on her way to team MVP honors.
""I grew up and have lived in Mississippi my entire life," Taylor said. "It's a blessing to get the opportunity to play for my home state. The moment I got on campus in Starkville I knew it was where I was meant to be."
Last spring, she earned the team's offensive MVP award after hitting .510 and slugging .895 with 13 doubles and eight home runs. She posted a career-high 54 RBI and scored 18 runs while also stealing four bases.
"She can make an impact in the circle as well as with her power in the box and can change the game with one swing of the bat," Ricketts added. "Kylie is a commanding presence, and coming from the left side makes her all that more challenging. I expect her to flourish in our system with Coach Josh [Johnson] in the bullpen and am excited for her future as a Bulldog."
In three seasons, Taylor has 398 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .182 batting average with a 1.37 career ERA. She is a career .496 hitter with 129 hits and 132 RBI. Taylor will play her senior season at George County High School.
On the travel circuit, she played with the Birmingham Thunderbolts along with fellow Bulldog signee Taylor Middlebrook. Her squad won the 2018 PGF 16U Premier National Championship and the 2018 16U Colorado Sparkler Championship.
Ricketts was elevated to head coach on July 25 after serving as an assistant and associate head coach in Starkville since 2015. The Bulldogs have made an NCAA Regional in all but one of her seasons on staff. State's schedule for her first season at the helm will be released in the coming weeks.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
STARKVILLE – After averaging 133 strikeouts per season in her first three years of high school, Kylie Taylor will join the Mississippi State softball program in 2021.
"Kylie had been on our radar for a long time, and we are excited to finally get her on campus in Starkville," Ricketts said. "She bleeds maroon and white and will bring a lot of pride to the Bulldogs faithful while representing her home state of Mississippi."
Taylor spent three seasons at Ocean Springs High School where she put up gaudy numbers from her very first season both in the circle and at the plate. She batted .469 with five home runs on her way to driving in 31 runs.
Ocean Springs went 24-3 on the year, and Taylor posted a 17-0 record in the circle. She struck out 167 batters while maintaining a .974 fielding percentage with just one error on the year. Following the season, she was named team MVP.
As a sophomore, she stepped it up at the plate, hitting .506 with 10 home runs. Taylor drove in 47 runs and posted an impressive 1.514 OPS. Once again, the Lucedale, Mississippi, native struck out more than 100 batters and held opponents below a .200 batting average for the season on her way to team MVP honors.
""I grew up and have lived in Mississippi my entire life," Taylor said. "It's a blessing to get the opportunity to play for my home state. The moment I got on campus in Starkville I knew it was where I was meant to be."
Last spring, she earned the team's offensive MVP award after hitting .510 and slugging .895 with 13 doubles and eight home runs. She posted a career-high 54 RBI and scored 18 runs while also stealing four bases.
"She can make an impact in the circle as well as with her power in the box and can change the game with one swing of the bat," Ricketts added. "Kylie is a commanding presence, and coming from the left side makes her all that more challenging. I expect her to flourish in our system with Coach Josh [Johnson] in the bullpen and am excited for her future as a Bulldog."
In three seasons, Taylor has 398 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .182 batting average with a 1.37 career ERA. She is a career .496 hitter with 129 hits and 132 RBI. Taylor will play her senior season at George County High School.
On the travel circuit, she played with the Birmingham Thunderbolts along with fellow Bulldog signee Taylor Middlebrook. Her squad won the 2018 PGF 16U Premier National Championship and the 2018 16U Colorado Sparkler Championship.
Ricketts was elevated to head coach on July 25 after serving as an assistant and associate head coach in Starkville since 2015. The Bulldogs have made an NCAA Regional in all but one of her seasons on staff. State's schedule for her first season at the helm will be released in the coming weeks.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
SOFTBALL | Rounding Third: Morgan Bernardini
Wednesday, April 01
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. South Carolina (Game 3)
Monday, March 30
SOFTBALL | Highlights vs. South Carolina (Game 3)
Monday, March 30
SOFTBALL | Highlights vs. South Carolina (Game 2)
Sunday, March 29