Faith Helps Taylor Ebbs Bounce Back from Injury
Taylor Ebbs has been dazzling Kentucky softball fans of late with her electric play, especially in the batter’s box. Home runs, clutch RBIs, the Junior from Oregon has been electric in what has slowly become an exciting season for the Cats.
What many don’t notice? The brace on her right arm, a subtle reminder of a shoulder injury she suffered near the beginning of the 2024 season.
Ebbs’ shoulder injury took her out for a considerable stretch of the early season, having to build back up from zero.
“I’m pretty used to it now,” Ebbs said, talking about the brace. “Unfortunate things happen and I just had to play a different role for a while but I’m happy to be back.”
That role was in the dugout, where the former Oregon Player of the Year had to be there for her teammates.
“[I had to] be the best teammate I can be, glorify God in every way that I can and just be a light in the dugout,” Ebbs said.
Ebbs expanded upon how her faith helped her get through this tough time.
“I know I’m here for a different purpose than softball,” Ebbs said. “I’m here to glorify my God. So, no matter what role I’m playing, I’m in a good headspace and I know that I have different roles to play in different moments. So, I take pride in that.”
As for her return to the diamond, Ebbs had a long road ahead of her, filled with plenty of ups and downs.
“Some days are better than others,” Ebbs said, “I mean, some days the ball gets thrown hard and sometimes the ball just doesn’t go very far.”
Once Ebbs got back to full strength, she began playing a key role in a late surge by the Wildcats lately.
“It’s just nice to play the game that I love,” Ebbs said, “It’s just sweet to be with this group of girls and out there playing this amazing game.”
In Kentucky’s huge series win over then-seventh-ranked Georgia, Ebbs totaled two home runs and seven RBI. She also had a career day against Western Kentucky, with five RBI in the win including a three-run bomb to blow the game open.
“I think sometimes we just don’t fully play together, and when we play together, big great things happen,” Ebbs said.
Kentucky was slowed down a little bit this weekend with a series loss to 25th ranked South Carolina, but they will be looking to continue this late season heater with a three game series in Knoxville against Tennessee starting on Thursday. And there’s no doubt that Ebbs will play a key role for the Cats, especially now that she’s healthier.
