Parkside catcher Taylor Nichols signs with Holy Family

Parkside’s senior softball catcher is going to be bringing in pitches at the college level come next season.

Taylor Nichols signed her letter of intent to continue her playing career at Philadelphia's Holy Family University on May 19. After four years of manning the plate for the Rams, Nichols is confident she has what it takes to play with some of the best athletes in Division II.

“I was really excited to pursue my passion for softball at the collegiate level, and I was just really happy because I had so many injuries that pushed me back,” Nichols said. “I was able to work hard, and with the help from my coaches and my family, I was able to get back to the level that I was at and try out for the team.”

Two key injuries, a sprained ankle in the middle of her sophomore season and another setback while playing field hockey resulted in Nichols’ late selection of a college team.

But despite the questions regarding her health, Holy Family coaches remained confident Nichols could play and succeed in their system.

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“After visiting with the team and the coaches, I just felt like it was the perfect fit for me. The coaches seemed to really like me, so it all came together,” Nichols said.

Though the Parkside catcher has been known for her dominant play behind the plate and at bat, Nichols wasn't always attracted to softball. 

At a young age, Nichols first took a liking to soccer due to the influence of her father, but even though she enjoyed life as a soccer player, she was eager to try something new once she turned 11.

Going to her father, Nichols admitted to him she was ready to try something new, and much like he had done with soccer, he helped his daughter develop her skills to make the varsity softball team when high school rolled around.

“At first I was just playing for fun, and when you start out playing for fun rather than play competitively, I learned to love it,” Nichols said. “I never got tired of it, and I just played it more and more, and I still don’t get tired of it.”

That love and passion was on display every time Nichols put on a Parkside uniform. Throughout her four years, Nichols blasted home runs clear over the fence, while tagging runners out at the plate to help preserve a Rams victory.

In 2016, her efforts were recognized by coaches across the Bayside conference as she was named to the All-Bayside South First Team.

“It wasn’t until I started playing travel ball that I really was like, ‘maybe I want to play this in college,’ and after that, my coach just kept pushing me to my limit, and it was with his help (and others) that helped get me to where I am today.”

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Despite making an appearance in the 2017 MPSSAA Playoffs, Parkside’s season came to an end quickly with a 5-1 loss to Easton in the second round, bringing an end to Nichols’ high school career.

But with grade school in the rearview mirror, Nichols can now start to focus on life as a member of Holy Family’s softball team.

The Tigers went 28-20 in 2017, losing to Philadelphia University in the CACC tournament. Holy Family is coached by Davon Ortega, who has directed the team the past seven seasons, leading the Tigers to six straight conference tournaments.

Knowing she must put in her time before earning a starting spot, Nichols is determined to go into Holy Family, develop her skills, earn her degree and ultimately have a memorable college experience.

“I’m hoping my skills I’ve developed will help me mentally prepare myself for the speed of the next level, and I hope with (the team’s) support along with my effort, it will work out in the end and I get to play a few games hopefully,” Nichols said. “I just hope mostly to make new friends, get new experiences and learn how to do things on my own.”