Valparaiso softball head coach Jordan Stevens announced today that Taylor Lawson has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Crusader program as a freshman in the fall of 2013. Lawson becomes the fourth member of Valpo's incoming freshman class for next season.

"We are very pleased and fortunate to have found someone with Taylor's skill set, and we are excited to have her as a member of our family," said Stevens. "She will add an element to our offense which we will need to have. Her speed and athleticism will truly benefit our outfield. Aside from that, we are adding a good character person to our roster as well."

Lawson comes to Valparaiso from Sahuaro [Ariz.] H.S., where she has been a four-year letterwinner for head coach Scott Nielson. The 5'4" outfielder is hitting .500 to date in her senior season after hitting .452 as a junior for the Cougars. Lawson was a First Team Tucson coaches selection as a junior and was also a Second Team All-Section choice, ranking among the top five players in the state in stolen bases. Outside of the prep ranks, Lawson played for the ASA 18U Gold national championship Arizona Desert Thunder Gold squad in the summer of 2012, hitting .364 over eight games to help the team to the title.

Lawson joins Jorgi Calombaris, Ashlynn Grubb and Samantha Stewart, all of whom signed with Valpo during the early signing period, as incoming freshmen for the Crusaders next season.