Believe the Hype

Taylor McQuillin appeared in the March 28, 2016, edition of FACES IN THE CROWD after leading Arizona to a three-game sweep at the Maverick Classic in Arlington, Texas, as a freshman. Legally blind in her left eye as a result of complications from Duane syndrome—a misalignment of the eye that limits its movement—the lefthander led Division I with 15 shutouts as a junior, then had a 24--8 record with a 1.52 ERA as a senior to lift the Wildcats to their 23rd World Series appearance. Next up: McQuillin's rookie season with the Cleveland Comets of the National Pro Fastpitch league. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native was the sixth pick in April's draft. "The biggest thing for me growing up legally blind was continuing to be my own hype man," says McQuillin. "I had to give myself confidence to achieve anything."