Taylor 'sets culture' in inaugural season for NPC softball program

National Park College's inaugural softball team - Photo courtesy of National Park College
National Park College's inaugural softball team - Photo courtesy of National Park College

Former UCA softball coach Jessica Taylor bought into National Park College's newly acquired mission to "create opportunities" for athletes across the region as the Bryant native took the reins of the Nighthawks' softball program in its inaugural 2019-2020 season.

Competing as a Division II program within NJCAA Region 2, Taylor is looking to the future with great promise as the Nighthawks continue to make history at National Park while building the program into something that reaches the highest level of competition within its division.

"For me, the coolest thing was to see this completely starting from scratch [where] we're starting from the ground up; we're building it," explained Taylor. "That's an exciting time to be a part of any program, but especially a junior college program that's going to create a lot of opportunities for in-state kids. There's been a few baseball teams in-state, but before this year, there was only one junior college softball program. And now there are three this year, so it's creating a lot of opportunity for kids in the state. ... I thought that would be a really, really cool thing to be a part of and a great opportunity to gain some experience with not only the coaching side but the administrative side of building a program and starting from the ground up."

With roots stretching back to Bryant High School, softball was a way of life for Taylor as she continued her athletic career from competing as a Lady Hornet to representing the University of Central Arkansas as a player before joining the coaching staff years later.

"My background is a little different because I went into the medical field afterwards and I worked at Children's Hospital in Little Rock for a year," she explained. "[I] went back and got my Masters at UCA, and then I coached there for the past two years. Then I got this job."

Despite low numbers on the Nighthawks' roster this year, Taylor remains fully confident in what the future holds for the NPC softball team while devoting this inaugural season to the implementation of the primary "culture" and foundation that the program will build on moving forward.

With little time to prepare for the season, Taylor explained that recruitment was cut short. However, with numbers looking up going into the school's 2020-2021 season, she looks to reaching new heights behind the dedication of this year's roster.

"Being hired over the summer, there wasn't really a lot of time to recruit a team, so we have very low numbers this year," she said. "We've got 13 players on our team. Right now we have 10 until three of our girls get done with basketball season.

"Recruiting has been so awesome here. I've already gotten 14 girls committed to come and play next year which is crazy because that's more than what's on the roster right now. The kids that we're bringing in are very talented; they have experience, they play for high-level teams. They're playing on teams with teammates that are going to Division I NCAA schools so these are well-coached, well-trained players that are coming in."

With the kind of talent that is showing interest in the program, Taylor sees this as an opportunity for a bright future.

"That was something that made me feel really good about the future of the program. This year, we're really using this as a year to kind of set our culture, set expectations and everything for the girls coming in, but also, we're playing a pretty tough schedule. We had Eastern Oklahoma on Monday; they're a good school. We have Tyler [Friday], and they're really good. They're Division I JUCO, so we're doing everything we possibly can to get prepared for our future. We know this is a building year, but we're trying to grow as much as possible, gain as much high-level experience as possible and use every single step along the way as a learning process."

With recruits from Garland County, in-state and surrounding regions, the Nighthawks' have developed some depth based on the experience brought in by multiple athletes.

Crowder College basketball transfers Kyndal Hardy and Grace Crawford joined the NPC roster with Hardy at pitcher and Crawford manning first base. Multi-sport sophomore Summer Godwin, of Mountain Pine, will assume her role as a Nighthawk utility player while freshman starting short-stop Megan Beene, of Carlisle, Texas, doubles as National Park's leadoff hitter.

"Really great kid, athletic and can probably play anywhere on the field," said Taylor.

Mount Ida freshman Braelynne Bates can be found at second base while classmate Emily Cecil, of Conway, splits time at third and as the Nighthawks catcher.

"All three of those have great bats, and they play anywhere on the infield for me," Taylor noted.

Freshman Kaley Joseph, of Prescott, will see time at third while assuming a second role as NPC's leading hitter coming off Monday's season opener on the road against Eastern Oklahoma State College.

"She's one of those that doesn't have as much experience as everyone else but has made up for it with just how hard she works," added Taylor. "That kid would run through a wall for me. She's a great kid; she's learned so much over a semester, so I'm really excited."

Fountain Lake freshman Cherokee Fields will be spotted in the outfield as will sophomore Samantha Shefelton, of Junction City, Kansas, while also contributing to the team's depth hitting from the left side as a "slapper."

Formerly committed to NCAA Division I Alabama A&M, Lake Hamilton freshman Jessye Rowland, who went yard in Monday's first game, provides additional depth along with Lyon College transfer starting pitcher Sarah Todd, of Mayflower. Sophomore Hannah Harvey will line up in center field while Gurdon freshman Quashia Dickens will see time in the circle.

Opening pitch for today's game at Hot Springs High School is 1 p.m.

Sports on 02/07/2020

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