In her four years playing softball at Northampton, Taylor Kranzley was an integral part of the Kids winning two consecutive district championships. She hit .506 her senior year and had a school record 41 hits.

From there, Kranzley hasn’t missed a beat, continuing her career at Bloomsburg University as a middle infielder for the Huskies.

Last season, Kranzley hit .340 with 22 RBIs and 32 runs scored in 47 starts as a middle infielder. The Huskies posted an overall 33-21 record and a 19-13 slate in the PSAC. Kranzley enjoyed the team’s ride, deep into the postseason.

“This past season was a great year for us,” noted Kranzley recently. “We made it to the regional championship, the farthest we have been since I have been here. We had a great pitching staff, and the girls always stepped up.

“We had great team chemistry. Last season I worked on using the whole field while hitting. I was always scanning the field for gaps to get on base anyway I could.”

Over the years, Kranzley has made the necessary changes, and it showed in her progress. She hit .261 with 21 RBIs, 17 doubles, and 17 runs scored in 53 starts (55 overall) her freshman year and .309 with 26 RBIs, 17 doubles and 25 runs scored in 55 starts (56 games overall) the following season.

As a sophomore, Kranzley was a second-team All-PSAC selection at second base.

So far this season, Kranzley is hitting .297 through 10 games. She has 11 hits, a double and five RBIs.

“The biggest adjustment I had to make at this level was my hitting approach,” stressed Kranzley. “Each pitcher is different and I have to adjust differently every game to be successful at the plate. All pitchers at this level have a different array of pitches, so it is a big adjustment going from a drop ball pitcher in game one, to a rise ball pitcher in game two.”

Aside from the physical game, Kranzley has addressed her mental game.

“I have learned that softball needs a lot of mental toughness,” added Kranzley. “With the season starting at the end of February and going to the middle or end of May, it takes a lot of strength to play a lot of games.

“Being mentally tough helps me stay present in the games towards the end of the season because it can be draining, both physically and mentally. I was also able to learn better time management, with balancing school and softball.

Through the years, Kranzley has been appreciative of all her mentors.

“Every coach I have had in my softball career has had the biggest influence over my high school and college career. All of my coaches have gotten me to where I am today, tournament coaches and high school coaches. Each coach has given me something different to take away that I still use at the college level today.”

Along with excelling on the field, Kranzley has taken pride in excelling in the classroom. Like softball, it has proven to be a challenge.

“During the season, it is definitely more difficult to keep up with schoolwork while traveling and missing class due to games,” reflected Kranzley. “Whenever I have free time in the beginning of the week, I try to work ahead on schoolwork, so I am not flooded with it towards the end of the week, which is game heavy.

“Bloomsburg softball had the highest GPA of all athletic teams in the spring with a 3.66. We all have a sense of pride when it comes to performing in the classroom and in the field. (Head coach) Susan (Kocher) gives us a lot of flexibility with class schedule and schoolwork. She understands the demand in the classroom and wants us to be just as successful there as on the field.

“It has been a good three years for me.”