Hard work pays off for all-area softball MVP Taylor Carli

GLEN ELLYN – Taylor Carli’s high school athletic career at Glenbard South consisted of very few off days and lots of winning.

A three-sport athlete for the Raiders, the recent graduate was a part of numerous conference championships while also experiencing a pair of softball state titles.

And this spring was no different, with Carli an integral part of the softball team that placed first in the Metro Suburban Conference before capturing a regional title.

“Being a part of those championship teams my freshman and sophomore year was awesome,” said Carli, who also played volleyball and basketball. “And playing for coach [Julie] Fonda is the best experience anybody can have at Glenbard South. We were hoping to go a little further this year, but we still had a good season.”

Despite a younger roster that included three freshmen, Glenbard South still managed to rack up 24 victories this season and the continued improvement of Carli within the pitching circle played a big role in that.

After striking out 104 batters in 129 innings as a junior while winning 14 games, the right-hander fanned 167 in 147 1/3 frames, allowing just 98 hits in her 17-victory campaign this year.

“Her improvement was huge between this year and last year,” Fonda said. “She came into her own as a pitcher and developed a pitching mentality instead of being just a thrower.”

Working on her craft continuously in the offseason was a big help.

“This year I felt like I had more pitches and I was getting ahead in the count better,” Carli said. “I improved as a pitcher in the offseason, I was pitching all of the time. Hard work does pay off.”

Carli’s contributions extended past her right arm. As the cleanup hitter in the Raiders’ lineup, she batted .341 with 30 RBIs.

“She was really consistent,” Fonda said. “The thing about Taylor, batting in the fourth spot, when she was put in a situation with runners in scoring position, she definitely produced. Out of her 30 RBIs, 10 were with two outs. Another thing is she led us with 10 sacrifice bunts. She is definitely a team player and is always looking out for what is best for her team.”

That team-first mentality has always been a part of Carli’s DNA.

“I think the better the relationships you have with your teammates, the better you will play,” she said.

That thought process has always stuck out to Fonda.

“The No. 1 quality about her is her ability to be a great teammate,” Fonda said. “She is a leader by example. She is going to do the right thing every single time and those type of kids are few and far between these days.

“Taylor just has that ability to put her teammates first. And I credit that to being the oldest of four kids. She is an amazing kid and I feel really lucky to have coached her.”

This spring, Carli knew two of her teammates a little better than the others. Being on the same field with younger sister Payton, who will be a senior next fall, is nothing new, but it was the first time to be on the same team with Mady, who was a freshman.

Carli, who is playing this summer with the Naperville Diamonds, will continue her softball career at Trinity International University in Deerfield, where she might have a little more free time even if she doesn’t necessarily want it.

“I didn’t get much of a break [playing three sports] but it was always fun and it gives you something to do after school,” Carli said. “I enjoy playing sports every day, whatever sport it is.”