CRESTVIEW — Taylor Rolison’s senior softball season at Crestview High School starts in two months, but she is already looking toward college life.
On Thursday, the pitcher signed a scholarship with the University of West Florida, realizing a dream she has had since she was 9 or 10 years old.
As a junior, Rolison was one of the area's most dominant pitchers. She struck out 266 batters in 155 innings and walked just 28 batters. She also had a 1.85 earned run average.
Rolison originally committed to Southeastern University in Lakeland, but UWF's proximity to Crestview was a factor she couldn’t overlook.
“It’s closer to home,” she said of the Pensacola college. “It’s not too big and not too small."
“And then I went to camp there (Southeastern) for a week and I was really homesick just being away for a week. I was like, ‘I’m not going to be able to do that for a year.’”
Rolison already is learning from UWF's coaching staff. “The college coach has taught me a new changeup that is better than the one I have,” she said.
Bulldog softball Coach Holly Gibson — who shared the big day with Rolison — said the athlete's desire to excel on the diamond stands out.
“She just did more to stay after (practice) and work to get better," Gibson said. “I’m very proud of her and what she has accomplished.
“I think her drive and love of the game has helped her get here."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's Rolison signs scholarship offer