Moon Township, Pa. – RMU head softball coach
Jexx Varner announced Monday that Taylor Rhinehart has joined the program after transferring from Siena College.
"We're very excited to add Taylor to the program," Varner said. "I've known Taylor for a long time, from the recruiting process in high school, and truly believe in the excellence that she is capable of. This is such a cool opportunity to give Taylor one more year to play with her sister, Rachael."
During the 2021 season as a senior at Siena, Rhinehart served as team captain. She made 15 appearances from the circle, pacing the Saints with a 2.13 earned run average (ERA) in recording a 2-3 record with four saves. In 42.1 innings, Rhinehart struck out 44 and walked just 16. In two seasons at Siena, Rhineheart appeared in 21 games, including six starts, and struck out 54 in 56.2 innings.
Rhinehart began her collegiate career at Villanova, where she posted a 7-7 record from the pitching circle in 30 appearances during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. She logged 91.1 innings, striking out 45 and recording one save. Of her 16 starts over the course of two years with the Wildcats, she notched six complete games.
"Taylor is going to bring quality experience and leadership to our young roster," Varner said. "She is yet another addition that will strengthen us in multiple ways. On the field, she will be an additional strong arm in the circle. Bringing her in just adds to our already enviable pitching staff from top to bottom. Taylor will also help us out on the corners defensively and has the offensive potential to provide depth to our lineup."
In four seasons at the NCAA Division I level, Rhinehart has appeared in 79 career games, including 51 starts. She owns a career batting average of .211 (20-for-95) with 13 runs and 13 RBI. Of her 20 hits, nine have gone for extra bases, including six doubles, two triples and a home run. From the circle, Rhinehart has compiled an overall record of 9-13 with seven complete games and five saves.
Led by Varner, RMU posted an overall record of 25-19 (.568) in 2021, including a mark of 20-14 (.588) in the Horizon League. The Colonials posted their first season of at least 25 victories since 2015 and qualified for the 2021 Horizon League Tournament as the No. 4 seed.
Rhinehart's sister, Rachael, is one of three returners for RMU in 2022 from the circle. She recorded a 9-3 record for the Colonials last season with a 3.37 ERA, striking out 49 in 54 innings.
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