Angelina College softball player Taylor LaGrange earlier this week signed with Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. According to Lady Roadrunner associate head coach Barbi Mattson, the Coyotes are getting more than a mere softball player. They’re getting the whole package: Athlete, student and leader.
“Fundamentally, Taylor is one of the best outfielders we’ve ever had, hands down,” Mattson said. “Her hitting just keeps getting better every game, so (KWU) is getting a great, smart, hard-working, diving outfielder and a consistent stick who constantly provides quality at-bats.
“But what I’ve noticed most in Taylor from her freshman year to this year is her individual growth. I’ve seen her step up as a leader, not just verbally, but with her work ethic and her work in the classroom. I’ve seen her speaking with all of her teammates, making sure they’re feeling well and not having any problems. She’s a very approachable person, and she took the leadership role and ran with it. I have no concerns with her stepping into a four-year program and making an impact. She’s grown more here than a lot of young freshmen and sophomores at four-year schools.”
LaGrange has played a big role in AC’s 17-2 start to the 2017 season. Her 37 at-bats have resulted in 10 hits, eight walks, two homers, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored. She’s also fielded all 16 attempts in the outfield for a fielding average of a sparkling 1.000.
When looking for her new softball home following her final season at Angelina College, LaGrange said she needed just one visit to the KWU campus to realize she’d found her place.
“The school and campus are beautiful, and I was impressed with the academic side as well,” LaGrange said. “They have a really good Business program and master’s program there. The softball team has a new coach, so they’re building the program, but I really like the coach and the girls who are there now.”
LaGrange, a Barbers Hill High School product from Mont Belvieu, Texas, will land on a Coyote team on the upswing after the arrival of a new coaching staff. Coming from one of the top junior-college programs in the nation – the Lady Roadrunners were 2014 NJCAA Division I National Champions – means LaGrange will have the opportunity to bring her AC experiences and expectations along with her when she hits the KWU diamond.
“All three of the KWU coaches have played Division I softball, so they know the game,” LaGrange said. “They’re already 4-0 to start their season, and they drop a lot of bombs just like we do. And just the team itself, facing competition from all over the country, they’re ready to hit, just like our Lady Roadrunners are.”
Along with her on-field abilities, LaGrange said, she’ll be packing what she considers just as important as a smooth swing and a quick glove.
“There’s so much I got here in my two years at Angelina. One of the most important things is the sense of family. Everyone joins together here: The coaches, the players, the coaches’ kids are here with us. Family is the No. 1 thing in knowing how to go in somewhere and fit in.
“And the work ethic. Here, you have to work hard if you want to play. We have a lot of talent, so you have to hit, you have to do the work in the weight room and in the classroom. I know I got what I needed here from AC to prepare me for my next step in life.”
Taylor’s parents are Debbie and Marcus LaGrange.