By Lauren Kiner (Edward R. Murrow College of Communication)
 
On the field and off, Grant Taylor and his Washington State University baseball teammates look for a competitive edge in everything they do. On a recent Monday off, Taylor organized a round of golf with his teammates so they could take a break from their busy schedules, but still keep the competition high.

Taylor, a starting pitcher from Murrieta, California, came to WSU to play baseball in a last-minute decision and has made Pullman his home for the last five years. In March, Taylor was named National Pitcher of the Week following a 17-strikeout one-hit shutout victory at the University of Washington. In that outing he broke the previous WSU modern-day record of 16 strikeouts set by John Olerud against Eastern Washington University in 1988. 

Taylor graduated from WSU in May with a degree in construction management and looks forward to continuing his baseball career and living in places that can accommodate his love for the outdoors. Taylor said he likes to take his mind off baseball by enjoying the outdoors in any way he can. Although baseball takes up most of his time, he enjoys fishing, golfing and swimming.

"[Getting out] allows me to enjoy the little things in life and that makes me appreciate the sport that I am able to play," Taylor said.

Most years Taylor plays in a summer baseball league, but in 2023, Taylor coached youth baseball camps in Pullman with WSU catcher Jacob Morrow.

"The summers in Pullman are amazing, it's a completely different town with no students here," Taylor said.

In addition to working at the baseball camps, Taylor and Morrow filled their summer in Pullman by working on local farms and exploring the Palouse.