Monday, April 24 was supposed to be hip surgery day for Prescott senior ace pitcher Taylor Graf.

Instead of choosing a surgical hospital gown, Graf opted for her white Prescott Cardinals home softball uniform on Monday afternoon as she suited up for a doubleheader against Superior. Her attire signaled that she chose to forgo season-ending hip surgery and will instead get the procedure done after the season.

Graf, who needs surgery to repair a bone growth issue in her hip, has considered for months whether to get the surgery done immediately and prematurely end her senior year or wait until the 2023 campaign is finished.

After careful consideration with her family, friends and doctors, Graf decided to forgo the surgery until her high school softball career officially ends. She spoke about the decision to play the remainder of her senior year and postpone the procedure.

“It was a very tough decision and I weighed out the pros and cons for months,” Graf said. “The deciding factor was really just playing. I love these girls and this is my last go-around with them, so I might as well just go for it. If I’m not in pain, then why do anything?”

Graf’s decision to postpone the surgery and compete throughout her senior year completely changes the Cardinals’ outlook in 2023. Prescott head coach Nick Johnson spoke about how Graf’s decision alters the goals and expectations this year.

“She pushed surgery back to the end of the season and now she’s a full-go,” Johnson said. “We’ve talked about how big of a piece she is to this team and our season. Everyone is happy and excited because it changes the outlook of our season. We’re just hoping she stays healthy.”

Prescott suffered a pair of losses in the home doubleheader on Monday night against Superior, which is the No. 4-ranked Division 1 program in the state, according to the latest Wissports.com coaches’ poll.

Despite the losses, there was palpable excitement among the players, coaches and fans when Graf stepped into the circle to pitch. The results on the scoreboard may have been negative, but having Graf out there pitching was the largest positive Prescott has had all season.

“With Taylor out there we feel that we can win every game we play,” Johnson said. “We’re just confident because when you give the ball to a pitcher like Taylor, you should feel that way.”

Prescott’s players, coaches and fans unquestionably feel more confident with Graf on the mound, and rightly so. After her freshman season in 2020 was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Graf began what is arguably the best three-year stretch in program history.

During her sophomore year in 2021, she compiled a 15-3 record in 20 starts and allowed just 21 earned runs in 110 and one-third innings of work. She posted a team-best 1.33 ERA and struck out 93 batters while she walked just 13.

Although her sophomore season ended in a 5-3 loss in the Division 3 state championship game against Dodgeville in Green Bay, Graf had completed one of the best pitching seasons in recent program history.

In the spring of 2022, Graf picked up her junior season right where she left off. She amassed an 18-7 record in 25 starts and had a team-best 1.84 ERA in 148 and two-thirds innings of work. She struck out 168 opposing batters and walked just 19.

Given Graf’s success and sensational statistics, the Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association awarded her Second-Team All-State honors in 2022.

During the offseason between her junior and senior campaigns, Graf was informed that she needs hip surgery to address the bone growth. Several months later, she decided to postpone the procedure and now has the green light to finish her final year on the field. She spoke about how being a senior was a massive factor in deciding to delay the surgery.

“Being a senior was a huge factor for me,” Graf said. “If I was an underclassman, I probably would have gotten it done knowing I’d have other years to play. I talked to a lot of family and friends before deciding, especially the girls on the team.”

While the players and coaches were ecstatic when Graf informed them that she’d be pitching the remainder of the year, she also knew that they’d support her decision – regardless of the choice.

“The support is just unlike anything else,” Graf said of her teammates and coaches. “Just knowing that they support me and that they always have my back is great.”

Prescott is currently 5-2 overall and 4-0 in Middle Border Conference play. The Cardinals’ only two losses were 6-0 and 5-4 contests against No. 4-ranked Superior on Monday, April 24.

Graf and the Cardinals will be back in action on the road against Amery on Tuesday, April 25. The first pitch for that contest is slated for 5 p.m.