TAYLOR NAMED TO VERIZON ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

Senior Hurler Earns District II Recognition

EDINBORO, PA - Edinboro University softball standout Brianne Taylor (Waterford, PA/Fort LeBeouf) has been named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-District II College Division team. The senior hurler has been a star on the field as well as in the classroom for head coach Dan Gierlak.

This season the Fighting Scots struggled to a 9-28 record overall and 5-15 mark in PSAC West play in large part because of an inexperienced core of young players. Despite the difficulties of the team, Taylor was still able to put up solid numbers on the mound.

Taylor finished the season with a 7-19 record, but maintained an impressive 2.63 ERA. The Fort LeBeouf product worked 157.2 innings, striking out 166 batters while walking 47. The opposition batted only .209 versus Taylor, who also recorded 2 shutouts on the year.

Taylor ranked second in the PSAC with 7.37 strikeouts per 7 innings and second in innings pitched. Taylor started 26 games for the Fighting Scots, throwing 20 complete games.

In the opening game of the season, Taylor posted a career-high 18 strikeouts in a 5-4 win over Barton. On six occasions she posted 10 or more strikeouts this season.

Taylor completed her career at Edinboro with a 37-45 record, while posting a school-record 515 career strikeouts. Her strikeout total also ranks sixth all-time in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Taylor finished just two wins shy of matching the school mark of 39 career victories set by Kathy Mazur.

The Waterford, PA native pitched in 88 games working 526.2 innings, while giving up only 435 hits. Taylor also posted 10 shutouts during her four-year stint at Edinboro.

Taylor became the first four-time All-PSAC selection during Gierlak s tenure, receiving second-team honors for the third time in her career this season. She was a first team selection as a junior.

An Elementary and Special Education major with a 3.98 GPA, Taylor was a 2000 PSAC Spring Top 10 selection.

Taylor s athletic accolades are complimented by some outstanding achievements in the classroom. She has been a Dean s List student each semester as well as a four-time Scholar-Athlete. Taylor, a member of the University Honors Program, will graduate Summa Cum Laude.

In addition to receiving the Dean s Department Scholarship for 2000-01, Taylor was also the Elementary and Special Education Department Achievement Award winner for 2001.

Taylor will now go on the national ballot for Verizon Academic All-American, which will be announced on May.

~ Fighting Scots ~

2000-2001 Press Release Index

Created on ... May 10, 2001