The softball team defeated the Half Moon Bay Cougars 11-4 on Tuesday night on their senior night. They honored four seniors—Faith Schubin, Sara Djafari, Aliyah Calvillo Figueroa, and Kayla Preciado—before the game started with senior speeches and heartfelt stories as each senior received candy leis and flowers.
Sophomore pitcher Gracelyn Nava started on the mound, keeping the pitches very consistent, but the Cougars were still able to put one in play. Nevertheless, junior shortstop Carey Maletis recovered with a tag out on second as the runner on first tried to steal. After another strikeout from Nava, Schubin put an end to the inning with a catch in left field.
Sophomore center fielder Emma Loose led off at bat and had a powerful hit, but the Cougars shortstop was quick to get Loose out at first. Next up was Nava, who found good contact on a pitch, hitting the ball deep down center field and getting a triple. Even so, the Bears fell short with the next two batters getting out, concluding the first inning.
Nava started on the pitcher’s mound again. But the inning didn’t last long as Djfari got a pop-out at first base, followed by another pop-out received by Maletis at shortstop, which made way for a double play at second with sophomore second basemen Julianna Pandolfo. At the bottom of the second inning, the Cougars stepped up their defense and kept the game tight by obtaining three outs fast.
M-A responded with Nava back on the mound. Maletis, again, threw to Pandolfo getting an out at second and Nava struck another batter out. Ending the top of the third inning was Maletis after catching a pop-fly at shortstop. M-A was unable to get anyone on base during the bottom of the third inning.
The game was tight and the Cougars knew the stakes were high. Although junior catcher Kylie Cox let nothing pass her behind the plate and Nava continued to throw consistent pitches, the Cougars were still able to hit the gaps, which led to two batters on base.
With the two batters on base, the Cougars hit a fly ball to left field, scoring two runs. The defense knew it was now or never, and they quickly got the much needed three outs to enter the bottom of the fourth inning. Finally, the Bears started to find their groove. Nava got on base and then stole second, Pandolfo got walked, and shortly after, Cox hit a triple that allowed Nava and Pandolfo to find home, evening the score at 2-2.
However, the momentum didn’t stop there. Sophomore first base Olivia Rodgers got on base, junior second basemen Lea Martinez hit a clean bunt down third, and Calvillo Figueroa sealed the deal by hitting an RBI that brought Rodgers home, giving M-A the lead. At the end of the inning, Loose hit a bunt which allowed Schubin to score, but shortly after, the Cougars stepped up and managed to get the three outs.
The game was close and the Cougars were able to both hit and score. Despite this, Calvillo Figueroa was able to stop them by catching a deep fly ball in right field and throwing to second for a double play. After earning three outs, Pandolfo started the bottom of the fifth inning by hitting a line drive down the center. Cox then quickly hit a double, which enabled Pandolfo to score. Growing nervous, the Cougars decided to switch pitchers, but this had no effect on the Bears, as Maletis got an RBI with Cox scoring, making the game 7-4.
Cox and Nava kept the game tight allowing no runs during the sixth inning. As the Bears came up to bat in the bottom half, Loose led off by getting on base. Cox followed with a deep hit which allowed Loose to score. Then Maletis hit a single, and right after Rodgers sent one deep, letting Cox and Maletis score. With the momentum shifting, the Cougars were rattled and decided to switch pitchers again. Top of the seventh inning and M-A was in the lead, junior pitcher Elise Koo took over the mound and Cox was still behind the plate. Koo struck out the Cougars and the defense obtained another out. To close it all up, Schubin made a terrific catch in left field with the Bears winning 11-4.
“The game went really well. All the seniors got to start and contributed to the team and I couldn’t be prouder of the other seniors and of my team as a whole. I feel lucky to have been a part of this team and so proud of every single person on it. I’m so grateful to them and our coaches for organizing a lovely senior night,” Schubin said.
“I thought we played really strong and were able to really come together for our seniors. I’m super happy that our seniors all made big plays throughout the game,” Pandolfo said.
To commemorate, the Bears celebrated with a taco truck and cake, ending senior night with a bang.
The Bears will return to the field to take on the Mills Vikings away on Friday at 4 p.m.
