Titan third baseman, Missy Taukeiaho, was not only a star performer at softball's hot corner, Taukeiaho remains as one of the greatest hitters in the storied history of the Cal State Fullerton program, batting for power and for average.  

Despite only playing three seasons for the Titans, following her transfer from the University of Washington, Missy places in the CSUF career top-five in an astounding nine offensive categories. 

Associate head coach, Jorge Araujo, described Missy at bat: "When Missy came to the plate, everyone in the stadium stopped what they were doing to watch her swing the bat, and she rarely disappointed.  Not only was she a great hitter, but she was an outstanding leader in the clubhouse."

Following a standout career at Etiwanda High School, where Taukeiaho received numerous All-Baseline Conference awards, eventually signing a Letter of Intent with the University of Washington.  Ironically, current Titan head coach, Kelly Ford, tried to recruit Taukeiaho to Mt. SAC.

Missy experienced a turbulent, injury-filled freshman year at UW, and played infrequently.  Said Taukeiaho: "Irreconcilable differences with my coaching staff was my reason for leaving. It was a tough year. Adapting to my new surroundings, and being on my own away from family was hard." 

After making the decision to transfer, Missy was pursued heavily by Georgia and Cal State Fullerton, among others.  Missy remembered: "Checking out CSUF started with a conversation that I had with one of my former travel ball coaches, Norm Perez. Then when I got word that Jorge Araujo had joined the Titan staff I was definitely more open to seeing what the school had to offer. Before I had taken a visit to check out the Fullerton facilities, I had been flown out by Georgia, who were also interested in me joining their program. Georgia is an amazing school and their program has become a strong one, but when I walked on to the CSUF campus, specifically at Anderson Family Field, it felt like home."

Taukeiaho's impact was immediate in 2014, as Missy batted .429, with 14 doubles, 19 home runs, and 51 RBI.  Her sophomore season with the Titans would serve as a portent of things to come, culminating in the 2016 Big West championship, and a return to the NCAA Softball Tournament after a seven-year absence.  Fullerton's record from 2014 through 2016 was 112-59-1. 

When asked what she was most proud of during her three-year Titan career, Missy responded, "The one thing I am proud of most is that in my senior year (2016) we brought a winning culture back to the program. As seniors that year, we said 'We will not go out empty handed,' and we didn't. We didn't go as far as we had hoped, but winning the conference, getting the big wins we did against top-10 teams, and having a shot in the NCAA playoffs were definitely among the highlights of my college career."

Coach Ford, and Cal State Fullerton would return to the NCAA Softball Tournament in five of the next seven years.

Missy had plenty of praise for those who helped her along her journey: "First and foremost, to Coach Ford for allowing me the opportunity to redeem myself and play for her. And thanks for all of the help she has offered and given me. I know I can be a pain, but she's always tried to help me, and be there for me, and has always wanted the best for me. I'm truly grateful. 

"To coach Jorge (Araujo), a man who has known me since I was 9 or10 years old, and coached me from then on until I was 15, and then finishing my college career with him. Thank you for everything, and always making sure that my teammates and I were taken care of. You helped pave the way for me with my career early on, and I'm always thankful it ended with you as my coach. 
 
"To (travel ball coach) Norm Perez, may he rest in peace. I owe a lot to him and he helped me to navigate through some pretty dark times. He never missed a game during my first two years at CSUF, and then we lost him during the fall of my senior year. He helped me make my decision to transfer to CSUF, and always had my back no matter what. I am truly grateful to have known him and to have been mentored by him. I know there are many more people he's reached that feel the same, and we were all blessed to have been loved by 'Normy.'" 
 
Taukeiaho was also effusive in her praise for her Titan teammates, "I had some great times with my teammates, and some hard, personal moments that my teammates helped me with. I think that's what made us strong as a team. Don't be fooled though, we argued and bickered like sisters, but we all looked out for one another." 
 
Missy still keeps in regular contact with former teammates, Morgan Paul, Paige Kisling, Kenzie Grimes, and Sandy (Vandiver) Seabold.  She also keeps in touch with many others through social media. 
 
Following her career at Cal State Fullerton, Missy played for two seasons in the National Pro Fastpitch softball league.  First, for the USSSA Pride in 2016, and then the Texas Charge in 2017. Taukeiaho continued her update: "When Covid hit, that kind of took me out of coaching. From there, I went to work in a couple warehouses, and I'm now working in a restaurant as a server. I don't plan to be there forever, which is why I want to go back to school and complete my degree."
 
Coach Araujo summed up things eloquently: "A Missy Taukeiaho only comes around a few times during a coaching career."  Missy Taukeiaho lives in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 
 
Honors

• All-American – 2014, 2015
• All-Region, First Team – 2014, 2015
• All-Region, Third Team – 2016
• Big West Conference, Field Player of the Year – 2014, 2015
• All-Big West Conference, First Team – 2014, 2015, 2016 
• Big West Conference Champion – 2016
• NCAA Softball Tournament - 2016

 
CSUF Softball Career Records

• #2 – Home Runs – 42
• #2 – Slugging Percentage – .752
• #2 – On Base Percentage – .512
• #2 – Walks – 110
• #3 – Batting Average – .393
• #3 – Runs Scored – 146
• #3 – Doubles – 46
• #4 – Total Bases – 133
• #5 – Runs Batted In – 608

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