Talented Duo Steers Edinburgh's Bright Softball Future

Numbers can be used to support facts, prove a point or make an argument. In the case of Edinburgh High School freshmen Taylor Murray and Nisha Brown, numbers are a clear indicator of their unwavering friendship.

Prior to a recent travel softball season – Murray and Brown have played on the same travel team for four years – Brown noticed her longtime No. 8 jersey number was already taken. After seeing Murray wearing No. 18, however, she had an idea.

“Nisha suggested 81,” Murray recalled. “I thought she was joking, but she really did it. … That’s not a normal number for softball.”

Having reversible jersey numbers was only fitting for the longtime best friends, who also serve as battery mates on the softball diamond. Murray has been Brown’s catcher since they began playing travel ball together.

“I thought it would be pretty cool to have a pitcher and catcher wearing reversible numbers,” Brown explained. “It also shows people that we’re really good friends.”

Murray and Brown brought their Nos. 18 and 81 to high school, and it proved to be a good omen for the Lancers.

The talented duo helped Edinburgh, playing its first season as a varsity program, finish the regular season 14-6 overall. The Lancers went 7-0 in the Mid-Hoosier Conference to win the school’s first conference title for any sport in 17 years.

During the regular season, Murray had a team-high .517 batting average, 32 RBIs and eight doubles, while Brown pitched her way to a 13-5 record, 1.15 earned-run average and 176 strikeouts.

“Certainly, those two were a huge reason for our success,” said Edinburgh coach Vance Murray, Taylor’s father. “For them to have such an impact as freshmen was impressive.”

The Lancers followed up their regular season by winning the program’s first Class A sectional game, an 11-0 victory over Indiana Deaf on May 27.

“As a new team, that was important for us – trying to set standards for future years and show other teams that Edinburgh can actually do something in sports,” Taylor Murray said. “I think we were able to get our name out there, but some people are probably wondering if we can do it again next year.”

With all of their starters expected to return in 2010, including Murray and Brown, the future appears extremely bright for the Lancers’ budding program.
“It looks really good,” Brown said. “We have a really good freshman class coming in next year, too, so that should help with our depth. I definitely think we can improve and get better.”

Murray hopes to compete for at least one state championship before graduating high school.

“That would be great. It’s one of our goals, for sure,” she said. “This year, we were just hoping for a .500 record, but our goals will be much bigger down the road. We’ll have a lot of returning talent next season … so it should be exciting.”

With Murray and Brown leading the way, Vance Murray is convinced this year’s achievements were just a sign of things to come.

“There is still a lot more potential in all these girls, and we’re expecting great things over the next few years,” he said. “Once you get a taste of success, you want more. I don’t think anybody will be satisfied.”

Brown said Taylor Murray will be a key component, both offensively and defensively, as the Lancers move forward.

“Without Taylor, it wouldn’t have been the same (this season),” she said. “We have a great chemistry together.”

For the two youngsters, that chemistry also drives their impeccable friendship off the diamond.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more on the Edinburgh Lancers and freshman catcher Taylor Murray, make sure to read VYPE's Year-End Review issue available the week of June 15 at your local Central Indiana Marsh Supermarket.