SOFTBALL, Poland TAYLOR MIOKOVIC

Poland’s Taylor Miokovic can do it all on the softball diamond.

From hitting home runs to striking out hitters, there was nothing Miokovic stayed away from in her career. This year, moving her role from first base to pitcher, the senior Miokovic credited her teammates for her success.

“I knew they always had my back,” Miokovic said. “We always knew we could get through just about anything.”

On the mound this season, Miokovic went 14-5, posting a 2.81 ERA. She also had a strong appearance in relief in the district championship win over Canfield.

“Our team this year from last year, we really stepped it up,” Miokovic said. “We had a lot of underclassmen, a lot of girls that really weren’t experienced with the whole playoff and tournament play.”

Miokovic, who was one of two girls left on the team from the 2011 state championship squad, won 96 games in her four years.

“I learned a lot of it from Jenna [Modic] and Erin [Gabriel], I always go back to them,” Miokovic said, who had the game-winning hit in that 2011 title game. “They were definitely my mentors growing up in the softball world.”

Miokovic collected a number of records both at Poland and in Ohio. She finished her career second all-time in the state with 38 long balls, including 11 this season.

“I was pretty disappointed I didn’t get first,” Miokovic said. “But three away, that’s pretty cool. It means a lot to me ’cause that’s pretty much all I work on is hitting.”

Miokovic has committed to playing on the next level at Eastern Illinois, an opportunity she is excited for.

“Going in there [Eastern Illinois], I just want to make my mark for myself, like how I did in Poland,” Miokovic said, who leaves as Poland’s leader in home runs and RBIs. “I want to make an impact on the program.”

Miokovic is not sure what position she will be playing next year but knows it will take hard work to play.

“Just go in there and give it my all,” Miokovic said. “I know it’s going to be tough having 10 girls just like you on the field.”