One game – one memorable, stunning performance – pretty much sums up Taylor Lipps’ senior year at Grain Valley High School.
She was 4-for-4, with two over-the-fence homers, two RBIs and four runs scored in a 9-3 victory over Oak Grove.
Because the game was getting out of hand, Eagles coach Jim Oliver pulled Lipps out of the lineup late in the game, causing Panthers coach Kirk Sears to quip, “I was disappointed she didn’t get to hit in the seventh, because I wanted to see what she was going to do. When you say Taylor Lipps, you’ve said it all.”
Lipps finished her senior year hitting .605, with 40 RBIs, 32 runs scored, an unthinkable 1.062 slugging percentage and a .630 on-base percentage.
“I’d say Emporia State is getting a pretty good player,” Oliver joked Wednesday morning after the all-state player signed with the NCAA Division II power in Emporia, Kan., to play softball. “What she did the past four years here at Grain Valley is really pretty amazing.”
Eagles assistant softball and head baseball coach Mark Lyford paid Lipps the ultimate compliment when he compared her to Ichiro Suzki, the Seattle Mariners All-Star who became the first player in Major League Baseball history to collect 200-plus hits in his first nine years.
“She has the same ability of finding a way to get a base hit,” Lyford said. “When she makes an out, you’re surprised. She’s been a starter for four years. When we start next season and they don’t announce, ‘No. 7, playing center field, Taylor Lipps,’ it’s going to be strange.”
There was nothing strange about Wednesday’s signing session. Lipps’ mom and dad, Ron and Cathy, were on hand, along with Oliver, Lyford and Stacey Moore, Lipps’ summer league coach.
“I think I was destined to play softball because my mom played when she was pregnant with me,” Lipps said. “She and my dad have been so important to me and I’m so happy I can share this day with them.
“This is one of those dream-come-true days. I went and watched Emporia State play a few years ago and dreamed about playing there ever since.
“I can’t wait to see what type of challenges come from playing college ball – I just can’t wait.”
Oliver said his star outfielder and The Examiner’s reigning Player of the Year should make a seamless transition.
“We haven’t even seen the best of Taylor Lipps,” Oliver said. “I think back when she first started playing for me. It was my first year and she was probably our best pitcher. She wanted to play first base and I told her we needed her in the outfield because of her arm. I don’t think she liked it at first – but she worked hard and became a great outfielder.”
But the lasting impression Lipps left was at the plate.
When asked if she was surprised when she made an out, Lipps grinned and said, “I’m kind of surprised. I hate to make an out, more than I love to get a hit. And I really hate striking out – that just kills me.”
MEAD SIGNS WITH OTTAWA: Paige Mead, a standout member of the Grain Valley volleyball team, signed a letter on Wednesday to continue playing that sport at Ottawa (Kan.) University.
“It was between Ottawa, Northwest Missouri State University and Longview Community College,” Mead said. “I can’t even put into words how special today is to me.
“I’ve dreamed of this day for a long time.”
Mead said she could make an immediate impact on the back row.
“They like my jump serve and said I might be able to work my way to the front row,” Mead said.
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One game – one memorable, stunning performance – pretty much sums up Taylor Lipps’ senior year at Grain Valley High School.
She was 4-for-4, with two over-the-fence homers, two RBIs and four runs scored in a 9-3 victory over Oak Grove.
Because the game was getting out of hand, Eagles coach Jim Oliver pulled Lipps out of the lineup late in the game, causing Panthers coach Kirk Sears to quip, “I was disappointed she didn’t get to hit in the seventh, because I wanted to see what she was going to do. When you say Taylor Lipps, you’ve said it all.”
Lipps finished her senior year hitting .605, with 40 RBIs, 32 runs scored, an unthinkable 1.062 slugging percentage and a .630 on-base percentage.
“I’d say Emporia State is getting a pretty good player,” Oliver joked Wednesday morning after the all-state player signed with the NCAA Division II power in Emporia, Kan., to play softball. “What she did the past four years here at Grain Valley is really pretty amazing.”
Eagles assistant softball and head baseball coach Mark Lyford paid Lipps the ultimate compliment when he compared her to Ichiro Suzki, the Seattle Mariners All-Star who became the first player in Major League Baseball history to collect 200-plus hits in his first nine years.
“She has the same ability of finding a way to get a base hit,” Lyford said. “When she makes an out, you’re surprised. She’s been a starter for four years. When we start next season and they don’t announce, ‘No. 7, playing center field, Taylor Lipps,’ it’s going to be strange.”
There was nothing strange about Wednesday’s signing session. Lipps’ mom and dad, Ron and Cathy, were on hand, along with Oliver, Lyford and Stacey Moore, Lipps’ summer league coach.
“I think I was destined to play softball because my mom played when she was pregnant with me,” Lipps said. “She and my dad have been so important to me and I’m so happy I can share this day with them.
“This is one of those dream-come-true days. I went and watched Emporia State play a few years ago and dreamed about playing there ever since.
“I can’t wait to see what type of challenges come from playing college ball – I just can’t wait.”
Oliver said his star outfielder and The Examiner’s reigning Player of the Year should make a seamless transition.
“We haven’t even seen the best of Taylor Lipps,” Oliver said. “I think back when she first started playing for me. It was my first year and she was probably our best pitcher. She wanted to play first base and I told her we needed her in the outfield because of her arm. I don’t think she liked it at first – but she worked hard and became a great outfielder.”
But the lasting impression Lipps left was at the plate.
When asked if she was surprised when she made an out, Lipps grinned and said, “I’m kind of surprised. I hate to make an out, more than I love to get a hit. And I really hate striking out – that just kills me.”
MEAD SIGNS WITH OTTAWA: Paige Mead, a standout member of the Grain Valley volleyball team, signed a letter on Wednesday to continue playing that sport at Ottawa (Kan.) University.
“It was between Ottawa, Northwest Missouri State University and Longview Community College,” Mead said. “I can’t even put into words how special today is to me.
“I’ve dreamed of this day for a long time.”
Mead said she could make an immediate impact on the back row.
“They like my jump serve and said I might be able to work my way to the front row,” Mead said.
