What age did you start playing softball and how did you start playing?
Catcher Sydney Riera: I started playing softball at age 8 because my parents really wanted me to play a sport. A lot of my friends at school started playing, and we all just tried out for fun, on recreation ball teams.
Right fielder Dahlia Murthy: I started playing freshman year because a lot of my friends told me they were trying out for the team, and I enjoyed softball from the little bit I had played in elementary school.
Pitcher Saira Ramakrishnan: I started playing softball when I was 7 years old because my sister was playing. I wanted to follow in her footsteps a little bit, and then I ended up really liking the sport.
First base Maggie Huesby: I started playing when I was 8 but stopped going into middle school, and I finally started playing again in freshman year.
How have you bonded and connected with your teammates over the past four years?
Riera: All of the seniors on the team have played with me for all four years, and we’ve all grown in our friendships and skill. We matured together as freshmen and now, being captains, it’s so nice to see [parts of] ourselves in the freshmen and watch them excel.
Murthy: The team has a lot of returning players and coaches, so it’s been nice to be with all the seniors for all four years, hanging out and having a good time together.
Ramakrishnan: When I started playing softball in high school, I didn’t really know the other three girls because I hadn’t gone to the same elementary school as them. But softball really helped us grow close. Sydney and I are a really powerful catcher-pitcher duo, so that’s been so fun! We’ve all gotten so close, and this year, we are doing our capstone project for MAP together. Overall, we have become really good friends and can talk to each other about nearly everything.
Huesby: I’ve made a lot of new great friends over the course of my four years, and I think this season’s team is one of the best we’ve had as everyone gets along easily with one another.
What is your favorite memory of your high school softball career?
Riera: I remember going to Santa Cruz in sophomore year and the whole team going to the Boardwalk, staying in a hotel together and going out to dinner.
Murthy: I think one of the best times we had was when we went to Santa Cruz because [softball coach Mike Davey] and all the seniors were there.
Ramakrishnan: When the whole team went to Santa Cruz, it was a great bonding time with both the current and previous seniors. Being able to talk and connect with them and get to know a lot of the new girls has been my favorite thing — being able to help the younger girls fall in love with the sport the way I did.
Huesby: My favorite memory is during warmups when we were practicing batting. We would try to hit Coach Davey with the balls when he threw them back.
What has been the highlight of playing softball?
Riera: Last season, I won the league MVP for offense and that felt pretty good.
Murthy: A highlight for me was in our game against Gunn [last season] — it was a really big game because I hit a triple and I hadn’t done that before.
Ramakrishnan: Last year we played Palo Alto twice, and I threw two no-hitters in both games, so it was one of my favorite moments.
Huesby: My highlight is being around all the friends I’ve made over the years. This team especially is so fun to be around and play with and I’m going to miss all of them so much.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during softball?
Riera: One of the hardest choices I’ve had to make was choosing not to continue softball through college. It was really hard to part ways with something that I’ve played at such a high level and then stop doing it.
Murthy: In sophomore year I remember struggling with batting, but I got better. Recently, I broke my nose with a ball, so I was out for a bit and not playing. That was a struggle, especially because this is my last season.
Ramakrishnan: One of my biggest challenges was balancing everything during a game. I play pitcher, but I used to play a lot of different positions, so figuring out which position suited me best and trying to make myself better every day [was difficult]. As a captain, I’ve had to make adjustments mid-game and learn to keep my calm and composure — even when I’m freaking out — to not scare my teammates, which is the hardest skill I’ve had to develop.
Maggie Huesby: My biggest challenge was pitching my freshman year, having never pitched before. It was a lot of work and pressure on me, but it made me a better player.
Are you planning to play softball in college? If not, do you expect softball to be a part of your life beyond high school, such as coaching?
Riera: I’m not playing in college but I will definitely still incorporate it by maybe finding and joining an intramural team, but nothing too serious. Over the summer, I’m still playing, but I’m also coaching my younger sister’s team.
Murthy: I would want to join an intramural team maybe, but nothing serious.
Ramakrishnan: I am continuing to play softball at Rochester University next year. I hope to continue connecting with the Saratoga High team by playing in the alumni game, coming back to senior nights and seeing the team whenever I’m in town.
Huesby: I’m not playing for college but would like to join a club or recreational team if possible.
What is something you will miss about playing softball with your teammates?
Riera: I’m definitely going to miss the inside jokes we have with the younger girls and seeing or waving at them in the halls. I think we all feel super protective over them and are going to miss them so much.
Murthy: I’m really going to miss the sense of a team and the feeling that they have your back then having your back is really nice. I feel like we are all really close — and I’m really close with all my coaches and teammates so I’m going to miss that.
Ramakrishnan: I’ve grown really close with all the girls here, especially the other seniors, and so I’m definitely going to miss that.
Huesby: I will miss all of my teammates, whom I’ve gotten to know so well, and I’ll miss our questions of the day. I will also miss times in the dugout when our team was batting and we were all together and cheering on the batter.
