Fulton County Ohio Media

In an early season game against the Lady Knights of Otsego High School, Lady Bulldog senior pitcher, Taylor Forrest, broke the career strikeout record of 232, set a few years earlier by Brie Williams.  As a freshman, Taylor played first base but also started several games in the circle while most of the pitching duties were handled by Brie, who went on to sign with the highly regarded Owens Community Lady Express Softball program.  Since that record-breaking moment, Taylor has sent an additional 18 batters back to the dugout without putting the ball in play.  As of this writing, her career total stands at 250 with many more games to come.

“Hopefully, we can play deep into the tournament, but I would say another 15 or so games,” said Swanton head coach Lauren Yoder, estimating the number of additional opportunities Taylor will have to boost her total.  “She will set the bar high for anyone else coming through.  It’s very cool to leave your mark like that.  It couldn’t happen to a better person.  There is nobody else that outworks her, she’s just a great teammate and a great person overall.  I’m really happy for her.”

In her main pitching arsenal, Taylor throws a fastball, dropball, riseball and changeup, each beginning with a confident and intimidating glare towards the hitter.  “It’s an accomplishment I didn’t think I would ever get.  The fact that it came so soon in my senior year is kind of exciting,” she said.

With the bulk of the schedule remaining, Taylor, a 2023 First Team All-NWOAL player, has the 300 strikeout total dead in her sights.  “That’s my new goal.  If I can go above that I’ll be happy with myself for sure,” she remarked on that impressive milestone. 

Starting next fall, Taylor will have much larger goals to accomplish as she has officially committed to continue her softball career and her education at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio.  The Heidelberg coaching staff expects her to have an immediate impact on the program given her game is not just one dimensional.  Taylor is also a force with the bat in her hand and is a very good fielder as well.

The nickname for Heidelberg University’s athletic teams is the Student Princes and Taylor will proudly wear that on her next softball uniform.  Soon, she will soon be a former Lady Bulldog but for now, and quite possibly for many years to come, she will be Swanton High School’s Strikeout Queen.

Photo: Taylor Forrest