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Tayla Gardner

Tayla Gardner has re-joined the softball coaching staff at Mercy College and will serve as the team's pitching coach starting in the 2022 season.  She previously served as pitching coach for the Mavericks for the 2015 season after graduating from Johnson and Wales University, before moving to Hawaii in a new career.  Gardner, was a former standout player and starting pitcher at Mercy in 2011, setting what was the single season strikeout record to date.  She then transferred to J&W to take a specialized major in culinary arts. There she earned 1st Team All Conference, 2014 Player of the Year, and the Johnson and Wales Female Athlete of the Year accolades.  

“We are thrilled to have Tayla back working at the collegiate level where she will work to develop our pitchers and help them get to the next level.  She was a high energy pitcher for the Mavericks in 2011, and Johnson and Wales through 2014, and she will be able to guide our pitchers to increased success,” Head Coach Mike Fazio said.

In addition to her duties at Mercy, Tayla is a full time pitching coach at Challenge U. Softball in Rockland County, NY.  There she encourages her athletes to stay focused, but also enjoy every step of the process.  She believes that hard work, keeping a positive attitude and loving what you do will ultimately lead to great success.