FMU: Returning starter....Started 54 of 55 games in 2016....Led team with 17 sacrifice bunts (17) and was second in doubles (9)....Ranked 23rd nationally in sacrifice hits per game (0.31)....One of three Patriots to bat over .300 (.308)....10 multi-hit games....7-game hitting streak....Transfer from Johnson County Community College in Kansas, where she played two seasons....Had a very successful year last year personally and with her team, including her award-winning effort at the junior college national tournament.....Is willing to learn and get better.....Is very excited about joining our program and experiencing life outside the Midwest.....Will work in the infield, splitting time between the middle infield and third base.....Has a drive for success and will also bring her experience as an in-coming junior to the program....Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll 2016, 2017.....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2015 (fall), 2016 (spring, fall), 2017 (spring).....JCC: As a sophomore, was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament as the Lady Cavaliers posted a 37-15 record and placed third.....Batted .371 with 46 runs scored in 49 games, eight extra-base hits, 19 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and a .446 on-base percentage.....Earned second-team All-Conference honors and second-team All-District recognition.....As a freshman, batted .233 with six RBIs and 13 runs scored as JCCC went 33-8, won its conference championship, and ended the year ranked seventh nationally.....In 294 plate appearances over her two seasons, she struck out only 10 times.....Two-time Academic All-American.
PERSONAL: Born Taylor Rae Brunson in Shawnee, Kan.....Graduated from Mill Valley High School, where she played under the direction of coach Sarah Haub.....Four-year starter....Garnered All-Kaw Valley League honors three times, while helping Mill Valley reach the Kansas 5A State Tournament all four years, including a runner-up finish as a senior.....Honorable mention All-Area by Lawrence Journal World....Also lettered in tennis and basketball....Earned Academic letter....Nicknames are Buns, Tay, and Tay Rae.
PERSONAL FAVORITES: As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: Singer....Favorite Superhero when growing up: Superman....Favorite Athlete: Lauren Chamberlian....Favorite Sports Teams: Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs....Favorite Movie: Sandlot....Favorite TV Show: The Office....Favorite Food: Donuts....Favorite Vacation Spot: Destin, Fla.....Celebrity Crush: Channing Tatum....Favorite Sport Other than Your Own: Football....Favorite Website (outside social media): Forever 21 ....Favorite Social Media Site: Instagram ....Twitter Handle: tayraebrunson ....Instagram Account: tayraebrunson ....Your Motivation Music: Anything....Favorite Thing About FMU: Softball field and facilities....Favorite Off-Field Activities: Hiking, kayaking, going to the beach....Goals for Upcoming Season: Go to nationals....Hobbies: reading, cooking, grocery shopping....Interesting Notes: Won Most Outstanding Offfensive Player in national tournament at my junior college.
