Former Stauffer standout will play softball at UCLA
Image courtesy UCLA
DOWNEY – Former Stauffer Middle School standout softball player Taylor Stephens has signed a national letter of intent to play softball at UCLA.
Stephens currently attends Gahr High School where she is a three-year starter in the infield. Her versatility at third base, shortstop and second base make her a top prospect. As good as Taylor is with her glove, she can certainly hit as well.
The current 2020-21 softball season is in doubt otherwise Stephens would be a four-year starter at Gahr.
Her high school prep career has been impressive despite only playing in two games her junior season due to the pandemic. The pandemic is responsible for cancelling all but the first two games last season.
Stephens’ freshman season consisted of 28 games. She hit .382, had three home runs with 19 RBI and stole four bases.
Her sophomore season saw her play in 24 games. She hit .463, had four home runs with 34 RBI and stole 16 bases.
Her junior season saw her only play in two games due to the pandemic. In those two games, Stephens hit .571, had one home run with two RBI and quickly stole three bases.
Stephens, now a senior, has competed in 54 total games at Gahr. She has a .427 career batting average, a .503 on base percentage, has drawn 20 walks and has stolen 23 bases.
Stephens has accumulated 64 hits, 55 RBI and has scored 51 runs. Once on base, Taylor is simply a run scoring machine.
Stephens currently ranks #26 in the 2021 Extra-Elite 100. She has been playing since she was seven years old and has played outside softball with the Firecrackers TJ 18U.
She will now be a UCLA Bruin and play for head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. Best of luck to Taylor as she pursues excellence at the next level.