Taliani, Tanilli helped turn Deer Lakes, Gannon softball into champions

Rachel Tanilli and Maria Taliani’s first experience as softball teammates came more than a decade ago in the Deer Lakes youth program.

Combining their talents led to many memories made on and off the field and brought them to one final season together on the Gannon softball team.

While this season was cut short in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, both have been able to look back fondly on what they achieved together.

“With Rachel and I, when you come from a shared experience like we had at Deer Lakes, it deepens the relationship that had even more meaning over the past four years at Gannon,” said Taliani, who will attend graduate school at Gannon and take advantage of the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility recently afforded seniors playing spring sports. “I am so fortunate to have had so many wonderful experiences with Rachel.”

Tanilli, meanwhile, is moving on from softball as she pursues a physical therapy doctorate at Gannon.

“I was already looking forward to finishing my softball career and moving on to being a graduate student because of the more vigorous academic program and requirements,” said Tanilli, who started 123 games in three-plus seasons for the Knights. “I will not only be a graduate student, but I will have a job as a graduate assistant. I want and need that extra time for those things.”

Taliani and Tanilli helped the Deer Lakes softball team enjoy one of the best runs in program history with two WPIAL runner-up finishes and the 2015 WPIAL Class AA title and PIAA silver medal.

Graduating from Deer Lakes in 2016, they signed with Gannon, and the success continued.

This year’s group of nine seniors won 99 games.

“When we came in as freshmen, we made up half of the team, Tanilli said. “We became really close really quick. That stuck with us all four years.”

Taliani added: “There was just something special there from the beginning. We accomplished so much.”

The 2018 team captured the PSAC championship, won the Atlantic Regional title and advanced to the NCAA Division II Super Regional.

Gannon began the 2020 season with games in Georgia and Florida. The Knights were 9-8 and were on a stretch of five wins in six games when the season came to a halt.

“We were still moving some things around, but we were settling in more and more,” said Tanilli, a member of the 2019 PSAC West All-Conference team. “We only had one series in after the trip to Florida. It would’ve been nice to see how we would’ve performed in conference.”

The final game was a 4-1 loss to PSAC foe Clarion in the second game of a doubleheader March 12. Taliani hit a home run, one of her six this season, and added a single for the Knights. She finished with 11 RBIs over the 17 games.

“All the work we put in was really starting to show,” said Taliani, who earned All-PSAC West honors in 2017 and ‘19. “I definitely saw a lot of potential to do great things the rest of the season.”

This past Wednesday marked what would have been the start of the PSAC Tournament. The Gannon seniors were to celebrate senior day April 25.

“That was a pretty emotional day and also an emotional few days leading up to it,” Taliani said. “Going into the season, you expect to have that day with your teammates and your family and friends who are there and also be able to play your last home game. Hopefully, when restrictions are eased, we can get together and have some type of celebration.”

While there wasn’t an on-field celebration, Gannon, with coach Michelle Wiley at the lead, honored each senior with a virtual recognition on the athletics website.

“I wanted to do justice for the girls,” Wiley said. “They have worked so hard together. To see the season cut short breaks my heart. It’s so tough when you don’t have control, but the best we can do is be there and support them.”

Wiley said she is pleased to have Taliani back for one more year and is confident Tanilli will continue to make her mark as a representative of the university.

“Maria is someone who definitely understands the game at a high level, and she’s worked hard to make herself a better player,” Wiley said. “But she’s also worked hard to make everyone around her better. Her contributions are going to continue to be tremendous for us.

“Rachel was a consistent force in right field for us. She’s probably the fastest outfielder we’ve ever had. She’s made plays most outfielders wouldn’t have been able to make. We’re definitely going to miss her, but I know at some point, you have to move on. She’ll always be a part of our family.”