Softball strives to improve

With teamwork and dedication, the softball team is trying to keep a positive attitude about this season, despite struggles on the field.

“There’s definitely a lot of room for improvement, but it’s mostly skills on the field. As a team, we all get along very well and we don’t have a problem working together at all,” said pitcher/second baseman Krittika Patil.
They are having trouble with consistency.
“After we make an error, we need to move on to the next place,” said senior third baseman Nicole Gragnola. “If we let it get to us, we’ll lose our composure and keep making mistakes.”
The team lost 11-9 during the April 1 game against Lynbrook. They were up 7-1 at the start of the game, but lost focus near the end of the game.
On March 30, the girls lost 5-3 to rival Santa Clara. Senior left fielder/second baseman Emily Baba and senior third baseman/outfielder Stephanie Borsum scored all three runs. On March 25, Saratoga lost to Cupertino 6-2.
“One of the skills we need to practice is defense, especially our grounders. People also just need to be more aware, because some people don’t really know what’s going on,” said junior pitcher Megan Brading.
Gragnola added that the girls need to “improve on focusing during practices. We need to get a better work ethic because you play how you practice.”
So far into the season, key players on the team include Brading, Baba, catcher Cathyrn Paolini, Gragnola and Patil, said coach Ray Sisco.
“We’re playing so much better this year. Even though we lost our last game, we’re losing by less now in comparison and everyone is playing well. We are getting stronger for each and every game, so hopefully by the end of the season we’ll improve a lot,” said senior Madeline Rothenberg.