Taylor Pleasants - Learning to Grow

Named the 2021 SEC Newcomer of the Year, LSU softball star Taylor Plesasnts has made an immediate impact for the Tigers since coming to Baton Rouge. After a redshirt freshman year where she was named All-SEC first team along with NFCA All-America second team, she helped lead the Tigers to an NCAA Super Regional Appearance in just her second year with the program. As Pleasants has cemented her name as one of the best young players in the sport, she says her faith has been a guiding light for leading her to where she is.

A Houston, Texas native, Taylor says that as she has grown up, she has seen her faith grow in a number of different ways.

“My faith has always been a roller coaster ride but it has always been something I can go back to no matter what situation I am in because He is always there.”

After becoming a star at J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston, Pleasants committed to LSU for her collegiate years. After her first season was cut short in 2020 after she had begun the year starting in each of the Tigers 24 games, she returned for her redshirt freshman year stronger than ever.

As Taylor has taken strides on the field, she says her faith has driven her throughout all aspects of her life.

“My faith allows me to find my identity in more than just my results. It gives me a constant in a game of inconsistency. It gives me a place of confidence for the times when my play isn’t at its highest.”

Taylor says that her faith has allowed her to play at the highest level and trust that no matter what, her identity is truly found outside of the results that come with the game of softball.

As Taylor has gone through her first couple of seasons in Baton Rouge, it hasn’t been without its struggles. On the field, Taylor says that finding yourself in a slump can be a difficult and trying time.

“I let my faith slip for a quick moment when things aren’t going my way. I, then, begin to question His plan and drift away from His presence. But I have learned that my faith is something that will always be there no matter what the outside circumstances are in life and during the season.”

As Taylor and the Tigers have gotten off to a quick start to the year, Taylor says she is shifting her mindset to look at everything as a positive and a learning lesson throughout her journey.

“The difference in the ups and downs is where I stand with God in that moment. In the ups, I thank God for everything while giving Him all the praise and glory. In the downs, it takes me a minute of silence to notice where I am at and where I need to be. Then I make my way into His presence providing me with a place of comfort and everlasting love. My faith allows me to justify and use my downs as something that will eventually be used for good.”

Taylor says she has learned that there are never truly “downs”, just opportunities to grow.

“In the grand scheme of things, there are no ups and downs, just ‘ups’ and trial periods that allow you to grow before you see another ‘up’.”

As the Tigers prepare for a weekend series against the #2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, Taylor says she is so grateful to be back playing the game she loves after seeing so many games altered by Covid. With a renewed mindset and energy approaching the 2022 season, Taylor hopes to help lead LSU back to a championship and always use her gifts and platform to be a light in the lives of others.