After sitting out the 2017 season and getting limited work in the fall, it has taken awhile for Cyrena Taylor to regain the form that saw her hit .373 in 2016 and earn All-CCAA and All-West Region recognition. As she proved in the Tournament of Champions, the senior first baseman's sweet swing is officially back, and her offensive contributions helped Chico State win five straight tournament games. Taylor's prodigious production at the plate makes her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Taylor batted .412 at the Tournament of Champions, racking up seven hits in 17 at-bats to extend her current hitting streak to nine straight games. She also scored twice and drove in five runs while playing flawless defense at first base as the 'Cats won the tournament championship and raised their season record to 31-3.
Taylor went 1-for-3 and knocked in a run in both Wildcat wins Friday at the Tournament of Champions, then had two hits and two RBI Saturday as the 'Cats downed Montana State Billings. She posted another two-hit game and drove in a run Sunday against Simon Fraser, and finished the weekend 1-for-3 in Chico State's 2-0 win over Western Oregon.
Taylor's week mirrors how hot she's been the entire month. The Rancho Cucamonga product is batting .414 (12-for-29) during her hitting streak, and since March 5 Taylor is hitting at a .375 clip (18-for-48) with five extra base hits and 11 RBI.
Taylor and the Wildcats host the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills for a four-game series this Thursday and Friday at University Softball Field.
