When sophomores Amanda Lee and Tivoli Sisco first met on the softball field playing for the Los Gatos-Saratoga Magic travel team back in elementary school, they never imagined that they would become close friends. Now, their friendship has been solidified after six years of bonding, both on and off the field.
Both Lee and Sisco play for the school varsity team at the positions of shortstop and catcher, respectively, and they share an connection every time they step onto the field.
As two of the only three freshmen on the team last year, the two helped each other adjust to playing on the team. Lee said “it was a little tougher being freshmen to gain their teammates’ respect, which they could only do if the freshmen respected each other.”
“We have [our game] worked out,” Lee said. “We can always pick each other up. We know how to support and encourage each other.”
Although the team had difficulties winning throughout the season, both Lee and Sisco would prevent each other from becoming frustrated.
“Playing on the school team was a really fun experience nonetheless,” Sisco said. “We spent a lot of time together during the season, especially at practice.”
Sisco said that it helps that they have been playing softball together for so long. Long friendships always have their rough patches, but Lee and Sisco find ways to push past them.
“Every friendship has its up and downs, but we’ve always pulled through,” Sisco said. “We always end up being friends again.”
Lee and Sisco agree that they get along very well, whether it’s on the softball field or outside of school, despite no longer playing on the same travel team. Their families are also good friends, and Lee goes to Sisco’s house often for barbecues and to socialize with her siblings.
Sisco says that she has had countless memories with Lee over the years.
She recalls one memory where the two “just sat on the couch together watching TV and eating a whole box of Whoppers.” Lee adds that they’ve had countless funny incidents while hanging out and waiting in the dugout.
“There was also this one time when we were at In-N-Out with the whole softball team, and a couple of us walked up to the drive-through and pretended we were driving a car,” Lee recalls. “We were wearing the In-N-Out chef hats, so it was pretty funny.”
Throughout their entire friendship, the two can’t remember ever getting into a serious argument.
Throughout all the years playing softball together, “it’s always just somehow worked,” according to Sisco.
“We understand each other really well,” Sisco said. “I’d say we have good chemistry with each other.”