Dadig named Baldwin’s Female Athlete of the Year

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, June 30, 2018 | 1:06 AM

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She recently wrapped up one of the most accomplished softball careers in school history.

Baldwin's Taylor Dadig, a four-year varsity starter at shortstop, racked up 138 career hits, which is believed to be one of the highest totals ever.

Dadig, 18, a George Mason recruit, was named senior female athlete of the year for 2017-18 at Baldwin's annual athletic awards banquet May 20 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“It was an honor to be named female athlete of the year,” Dadig said, “and I am extremely thankful to my teammates and coaches who have continually pushed me forward in both the physical and mental aspects of softball.”

Dadig, who also was presented with the Highlander Scholarship Award by the Baldwin-Whitehall Schools Athletic Booster Association, hit .485, .541 and .642 in her first three seasons at Baldwin. In 2018, she batted .508 with 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 23 RBIs.

She's been named all-state once and all-section multiple times, and also was a Tribune-Review Terrific 10 selection.

In January, Dadig was presented with the prestigious KDKA Extra Effort Award. She also was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee and had the winning entry in Baldwin High School's 75th anniversary logo design contest.

Dadig graduated with a 4.6 GPA, and was member of the National Honors Society and Special Olympics Club at Baldwin. Additionally, she was involved in the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute, Math League and Gifted Program.

The Highlanders captured four consecutive section titles, played in four consecutive WPIAL semifinal games, advanced to the WPIAL finals and PIAA first round in 2016, and qualified for the WPIAL semifinals/consolation game the previous two seasons.

This spring, Baldwin was a WPIAL semifinalist and PIAA quarterfinalist.

“One of my favorite softball memories is traveling directly from our first-round state playoff victory at Penn State to our graduation ceremony at Baldwin,” Dadig said. “I am so fortunate to have been a part of an amazing team that advanced deep into the playoffs, so winning a state playoff game three hours away and graduating high school in the same day was a unique experience.

“My greatest influences in my career have been my family (members), who have always supported my dream to play collegiate-level softball, and my high school and travel coaches, Vince Sortino and Ken Wilson, who have been very dedicated to pushing everyone on their team to reach their fullest potential as players and people.”

Dadig is competing this summer with the Pittsburgh Spirit U18 Premier travel team, along with Baldwin teammate and best friend, catcher Carly Santillo, a Pitt-Johnstown recruit.

The Pittsburgh Spirit squad over the years has participated in tournaments in Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Georgia; and in cities such as Philadelphia, Columbus, Detroit, Virginia Beach, Chattanooga and Salisbury, Md.

Classes for the fall semester at George Mason begin the last week of August.

“My goal would be to graduate with a degree in civil and infrastructure engineering,” she said. “Potentially working in Pittsburgh would be a great opportunity due to the variety of bridge structures and innovative transportation systems.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin