Taylor Puga
The Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame Committee is proud to recognize our sixth annual Most Valuable High School Girls Softball Player from the Pueblo area - . Pueblo Central High School, Taylor Puga for 2018..
This remarkable athlete is the daughter of Troy and Lee Ann Puga
Taylor maintained a 4.1 cumulative Grade Point Average and is ranked 10th in her class. She has received eight academic letters, four athletic letters in softball, and one athletic letter in basketball. Puga is a member of the National Honor Society.
Taylor has been a dominant force in the South Central League. She has an earned run average of .934, and 164 strikeouts. Taylor is not only a force to be reckoned with on the mound, but is also a powerhouse at the plate. In the 2017 high school season, she had a .885 slugging percentage, a .474 batting average, and .593 on base percentage. Taylor has led the South Central League in homeruns for the past four years!.
As well as playing at Central High School, Taylor played competitive travel ball with the Colorado Styxx 18 Gold. In order to practice with her team and to practice with her pitching coach, Puga commutes to Denver multiple times a week. When Taylor is not on the mound pitching, she can be found on the field playing first base or outfield.
In her free time, Taylor enjoys giving back to our youth in our community. She gives pitching lessons to children and helped provide instruction at the Runyon Field Pitching Camp. Puga also volunteers for the Pueblo City and County Disaster Drill, which helps prepare first responders and medical staff for potential disasters or emergency situations.
This humble athlete credits her success on the softball diamond to her influential parents, Troy and LeeAnn. She is so thankful for her brother Troy Jr. for always catching her, but most of all for motivating her. She would also like to thank all of her coaches who have taught her the game. Taylor committed to play softball at Tyler Junior College in Texas in the fall of 2018. While at Tyler Junior College, Taylor plans to begin her academic studies in the healthcare field. Her goal is to become a Physician's Assistant..
Taylor's athletic achivements include:
2014-2015 (Freshman)
1st SCL Team All Conference
Central Break Out Award Recipient
2015-2016 (Sophomore)
1st Team SCL All Conference
Central Break Out Award Recipient
All State Honorable mention
2016-2017 (Junior)
1st Team SCL All Conference
1st Team All State
2017-2018 (Senior)
1st Team All Conference
1st Team All State
All State participant
Helped Pueblo Central to a 2nd place finish in the state tournament