Rhea Taylor
Rhea Taylor

Player Profile
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Buford, Ga.
High School:
Peachtree Ridge
Position:
OF

2008:The first Missouri softball player in program history to earn Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, Rhea Taylor also earned the distinction of becoming the first Tiger in five years to receive All-America accolades. In her inaugural season with the Tigers, Taylor recorded a .402 batting average that set her atop the Missouri career batting average record book as well as tops among her Big 12 opponents. Her .481 average in Big 12 games also led the league. Taylor bat leadoff in all 64 games and reached base 58 times leading off the game. By the close of her freshman season, Taylor had stolen 57 bases, the second most in the country, setting a new Big 12 record. As a newcomer, Taylor received the adidas Golden Shoe Award presented annually to the nation's top base runner. Taylor led the league not only in stolen bases, but also in hits (88) and runs scored (64). The Tiger outfielder made her collegiate debut Feb. 8 against 2007 Women's College World Series contender Virginia Tech, then ranked 15th in the nation. Facing arguably one of the toughest pitchers in the nation, Taylor went 2-for-3 and stole two bases. In NCAA postseason play, Taylor was 7-for-19, scoring four of Missouri's 15 runs. Taylor hit her first career home run May 4 at Nebraska driving home three Missouri runs. For her work, Taylor was named to the All-Big 12 first team as well as NCAA Midwest Alll-Region team. Taylor received second team All-America honors by the close of the season. Honors: Second Team All-American, All-Midwest Region First Team, All-Big 12 First Team, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, adidas Golden Shoe Award Winner.

Peachtree Ridge: Taylor played four years with the Lions softball team and was coached by Duane Wilson. An outfielder with a powerful swing, Taylor bat leadoff her senior season averaging .352 at the plate. As a senior (2006), Taylor helped her team to the Georgia state softball tournament. Throughout her high school career, Taylor earned four letters and was named Best Offensive Player her junior year (2005) and Best Defensive Player in her sophomore campaign (2004). A three-time all-county honoree (2005, 2006), Taylor received honorable mention honors as a freshman in 2003. Taylor played summer softball in 2006 with the Brownsmill Lady Jackets. As a member of the 18 and under team, Taylor helped her team to a 13th place finish out of 144 teams.

Personal: Rhea Taylor is the daughter of Bobby and Coyita Taylor and has three sisters, Jocelyn, Gabrielle and Kamari and one brother, Fabian.

Tiger Softball Presents Annual Awards

05/31/2009 - Softball

The Missouri softball team officially concluded its season by presenting its annual end-of-the-year awards to select individuals on the 11th-ranked squad. All 22 members of the Women's College World Series team voted for the Hardest Worker, Newcomer of the Year, Best Hitter, Best Pitcher, Best Defensive Player and Most Valuable Player of the Year.

Tigers Fall 5-2, Eliminated from WCWS

05/30/2009 - Softball

The Missouri softball team (50-12) saw its season come to an end after dropping a 5-2 loss to ninth-ranked Georgia (45-11) in its second game of the Women's College World Series held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. With the loss, Missouri is the first school eliminated from the tournament, finishing eighth in its fourth WCWS appearance.

Missouri and Georgia Meet in World Series

05/29/2009 - Softball

Coming off of an opening round loss to ninth-ranked Arizona State, the No. 11 Missouri softball team looks to keep its title hopes alive with a win over No. 8 Georgia

Two Tigers Earn All-America Honors

05/28/2009 - Softball

Two Tigers from the 11th-ranked Missouri softball team were awarded second team Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America honors.

Mizzou Falls to Arizona State, 7-3

05/28/2009 - Softball

Making their first appearance in 15 years at the Women's College World Series, the 11th-ranked Tigers (50-11) suffered an opening round, 7-3, loss to ninth-ranked Arizona State (47-17) at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Tigers managed only four hits on the day, both extra base knocks, but faltered in the field, accounting for two errors.