Troup's Taylor Gillispie signs to play softball at Trinity Valley Community College. (Brandon Ogden/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

TROUP — Staying somewhat close to home was important for Troup senior Taylor Gillispie when finding somewhere to play college softball.

Gillispie was able to make that happen as she signed to play for Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, about an hour drive from Troup.

“It’s small, and it’s close to home,” Gillisipie said. “I did not want to go far at all.”

As a freshman, Gillispie struck out 74 batters in 41 innings. She hit .453 with six home runs and 19 stolen bases. As a sophomore, Gillispie was 22-11 with a 1.78 ERA and 346 strikeouts in 201 innings. She hit .380 with 38 hits, 20 RBIs, 10 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 14 stolen bases.

As a junior, Gillispie was 14-3 with a 0.69 ERA, 199 strikeouts and 36 walks in 91.1 innings in the pitching circle. She suffered an unexpected injury in her pitching arm half way through district play, which kept her from being able to finish the season in the circle. She did play first base the remainder of the season and was named the District 16-3A Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year. She was also named the 2024 Tyler Morning Telegraph All-Rose Country Softball Pitcher of the Year. At the plate, she hit .449 with a home run, four triples, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

“They are getting a gritty athlete that has a strong work ethic and great leadership skills, and ultimately, she is going to be a huge benefit for them in the field and offensively,” Troup head softball coach Murphy Williams said. “As a pitcher, she knows how to locate. She’s also just a workhorse on the mound. She knows that she’s going to come out on top against anybody who steps in the box with her.”

Now, Gillispie will play in Region XIV with Trinity Valley. The Cardinals compete in the North Zone with Paris, Bossier Parish, Tyler, Navarro, Northeast Texas and Kilgore.

“I want to thank my family for being there for me every step of the way,” Gillispie said.

Gillispie said she plans to major in education.