Softball season comes to emotional conclusion

The girls’ softball season came to an emotional ending with a challenging game against a strong Santa Clara High School on May 8. The girls played one of their best games holding the team out for an extra inning but ultimately losing 0-1.

“By the time the game was over, the whole team was bawling. It was so emotional because it was our last game and we had played so well,” said senior Satomi Ishikawa.

The girls had not expected to win against Santa Clara, as they are No. 1 in the league. however the team played a tough game and were proud of what they had achieved.

“We didn’t have the best season, but we grew so much as a team,” said Ishikawa. “I never thought we’d become so close.”

The tears, however, did not stop at the game. As a tradition, the underclassmen held their Senior Day in which they all dressed up and had a picnic in the middle of the quad. The theme was “senior diamonds.”

“The theme was supposed to be like softball diamonds,” said sophomore left fielder Whitney Hansen, “but we dressed them with sparkly hats and painted them metallic silver to make them like real diamonds.”

The seniors felt that Senior Day gave them one last memory to share with the team.

“The Senior Day really made me realize that this was our last time as a team and my last time being on softball in high school,” said Ishikawa.

The team was proud of their only win of the season, with a score of 9-7 over Gunn on April 22, but the win was overshadowed by a string of tough losses that followed. The girls lost 5-6 to Lynbrook, 4-7 to Los Altos, 3-6 to Cupertino and 0-17 to Palo Alto. Due to their losses, the team did not make it to the CCS playoffs. The girls, however, are still proud of their season and how far they had come.

“The season wasn’t that disappointing,” said senior shortstop Laura Ruddy, “We were close in a lot of games so I think the team just needs another year to develop.”

Even though the team suffered a rough season, the girls will take away the close bond they formed with each other.
“It sucks that the season had to end this way,” said Ishikawa. “But if this is what it took to make our team this close, I’m glad it happened this way.”