Around the Diamond with Taylor Curran

Welcome to the first installment of Around the Diamond.  Each week we’ll sit down with a local high school softball player and ask her a series of questions…some that relate to softball, some that don’t, and some that may even be slightly embarrassing.

If you'd like to be featured, e-mail me at michael.gavin@newsday.com, or message me on Twitter at @mgavinjr, or just come talk to me at a game. 

Who better to begin with than Plainedge junior Taylor Curran, the starting catcher for the defending Class A Nassau county champions. In the league opener on Tuesday, she went 2-for-3, lining two singles off of one of the Island’s best pitchers in Alannah Basile of Island Trees. Curran is a dangerous hitter in the clean-up spot, she’s a master at framing pitches behind the plate, and as you’ll soon find out, she’s a pretty big fan of the Jonas Brothers.

Let's go Around the Diamond with Taylor Curran…

What's the best part of being a catcher?  “I'm involved in every play and I can see everything going on in front of me on the field.”

Which would you prefer, hitting a walk-off home run or holding onto the ball during a play at the plate to end the game?  "I would prefer to hit a walk-off home run because when you make contact you know it’s gone! It’s an amazing feeling to see excited teammates waiting for you at home plate. It's one of the best feelings in the world!...Making a play at the plate to end the game isn't too bad either!"

What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod? " 'Bounce' by the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato."

What's your favorite moment while playing for Plainedge? "Beating Island Trees for the County championship last season!"

Who's your funniest teammate? "Kaitlyn Finnen and Nicole Francisco."

Who is your shyest teammate? "Aarin Hartenstein." 

Who is your most competitive teammate? "Dolores Diemieke."

What are your pregame rituals? "Ever since freshmen year Kate Finnen and I carpool together every single day no matter what, even to practice. Our team captains also give us a new quote before every game to inspire us."

What are some of the best nicknames for players on your team? "Coach calls me "T" most of the time. Princess Nikki (Nicole Francisco), K8 (Kaitlyn Finnen), Gi Gi Bella (Giana Soriente)."

What do you want to be when you grow up? "Go into criminology or be a nurse."

Favorite TV show? "Blue Bloods and Criminal Minds."

If you were the coach of your team for a day, what would you do? "More hit and runs, and stealing."

What's your most embarrassing on-field moment? "My first time catching, when I went to throw the ball down to second base, I tripped over home plate and started crying. I was 9-years-old."

If you could have dinner with any three people in history, who would they be?  "Nick Jonas, Jennie Finch, and David Wright."