TAMPA, Fla. — Hernando High School has had a long line of standout players on its softball team, but a senior on this year’s squad has set a new standard for the Leopards.

What You Need To Know

  • Hernando High softball senior standout Hannah Taylor sets new standard for the Leopards

  • She started playing softball very young

  • Taylor leads the school in RBIs, single home runs and home runs

  • She has committed to play at Eckerd College

With the postseason on the horizon, Hannah Taylor is set on closing out her high school career on a high note.

“Started T-ball when I was four," she said, "and from there I guess, I’ve played on this field until I was about 10 and then started travel ball. And then for high school, we’ve been back on this field since (another) field got shut down a few years ago.”

“I’ve always loved softball," she said. "It’s always just been my thing, you know, and my dad’s always been giving me every opportunity that I could have.”

She attributes her success to opportunities and hard work.

“I enjoy kind of putting that extra effort in. Like I’ve enjoyed coming out by myself too and practicing and kind of pushing each other out here," Taylor said.

In this game of balls and strikes, Taylor has proven to be a true powerhouse at the plate.

With an impressive 26 career home runs in a Lady Leopards' uniform, she hit 13 of those this year alone. 

It’s no wonder she’s breaking records and earning accolades.

Head coach Kevin Bittinger has coached several successful players, but Taylor is just one of those athletes, he says, doesn’t compare. 

“I think 2019, Madison Lamb hit nine (home runs) and I thought that was never going to be touched. Because I think previously before that I think it was like six, but what Hannah’s done is just super impressive. Every time she’s got a bat in her hands, she can change the game in one swing.”

When she’s not sending softballs over the fence, she’s catching them behind home plate.

Taylor set new standards of excellence for the future generations of Hernando High softball players. 

As this chapter of her softball career ends, she’s already looking forward to the next one.

“I kind of just want to play it out in college and have fun, you know. I just want to enjoy it for a few more years before it’s not there anymore, you know.”

She’s already signed her letter of intent to play at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, a place she’s familiar with since she has a family member on the team and a place she’s happy to call home.