The Gilmer High class of 2022 will be represented at the next level by Taylor Elliott.
Elliott is an honor graduate and will attend Brewton-Parker College to play softball for the Barons. She was a three-year varsity starter for the GHS Lady Cats.
Elliott had two other schools on her radar at the conclusion of the 2021 season, which included Georgia Gwinnett College and Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. However, Brewton-Parker made a pitch at the right time and offers a favorable setting.
“Brewton-Parker came up to me at one of my tournaments and offered me on the spot, and I decided to go with them. It’s a Christian school, and I hope it will be a good spot for me. I’ve been going to church my whole life,” Elliott said.
Brewton–Parker is a private Baptist college in Mount Vernon, and it competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“When I went down for my visit, I wasn’t sure if it was the school for me,” Elliott said. “I got to see the campus and meet and practice with the team. I gained a lot of friendships when I was down there, and I figured it would be a good place for me.”
Playing softball in college is always something that has been on Elliott’s mind and a goal she has worked diligently to achieve.
“Ever since I was little, I said I wanted to play at UGA, but as I grew up I realized going Division I wasn’t that important to me as long as I played somewhere where I knew I was going to love it,” she said.
Elliott’s softball journey got underway as soon as she was old enough to play in the local rec league. She played on her first travel team when she was 12, and has been doing so ever since. Elliott has most recently taken the field for the Georgia Thunderbolts out of Canton. She previously played with Premier Fastpitch.
The travel circuit has been a full-time commitment for Elliott. The season starts after the fall high school season and runs through the following summer. Tournaments are held nearly every weekend, and Elliott said they typically played six to seven games per event.
“Travel ball has really taught me how to manage my time with softball four days every week. We play almost every weekend and have two days of practice during the week. I guess it’s been hard to be a teenager. I haven’t been able to get a job and don’t have much free time, but I’ve made it work.”
Elliott is thankful for her time on the diamond as it ultimately led to her signing with Brewton-Parker.
“Travel ball got me more exposure to colleges and more playing time,” she said. “You get to see so many players and play against so many different teams. You get to see how things are different, and it was just a really cool experience.”
At GHS, Elliott was a member of two state tournament teams. Gilmer finished the 2019 season with a 9-18 record but secured fourth place for its state berth.
The Cats clawed their way to a 19-6 mark in 2020, which included a 17-1 record versus region opponents. GHS won the region championship but lost in the first round to eventual state champion Ringgold.
Elliott batted .352 and had 19 hits and 19 RBIs and scored 12 runs to go with one home run. She was named to the all-region first team at the conclusion of the season.
The Cats dealt with injuries and struggled to replace some defensive pieces in 2021 and finished with a 4-22 record.
Elliott capped her senior season with a .354 batting average, 23 hits, nine RBIs, seven doubles, scored eight runs and received an all-region honorable mention.
“These four years have been the best years of my life playing for GHS,” Elliott said. “I’ve made many new friendships including one of my best friends. Making those friendships and memories have been amazing.”
Elliott spent time in the infield at GHS. She got some experience at catcher playing travel ball and will take the field wherever she is needed for the Barons.
“I’ll be a utility player. I’ll basically play where they need me, but mostly at third base and catcher,” she said. “I’ve been playing in left field some recently as well. I really enjoy playing the corners at either third or first. I feel like that’s where I’m the strongest, but being in the outfield recently has been fun.”
Elliott will report to campus in the fall. She noted who has helped her reach this point and what she plans to study once she arrives in Mount Vernon.
“I’d say my parents (Huston and Natasha), but I’d say mainly my dad because he’s been my coach all throughout my life. He’s always pushed me to make me the player I am today,” said Elliott.
“I’m going to major in early-childhood education and actually got to see those classes and where they were on my visit. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a teacher when I got into high school, but I took the teaching pathway with Mrs. Luke. I just fell in love with that environment. Over the past two years, I’ve been a teacher intern with Mrs Davis here. I’ve just grown to love it and have much respect for teachers.”