Freshman class of ve helps softball team to best start of season in years

By Nathan Wang

e softball team started the season looking to improve after nishing 2-16 last year. e team is 2-2 following a 20-9 win against Marymount High School on March 7.

Head Coach Leesa Harris said the players on this year’s roster are uniquely dedicated.

“What sets this team apart from the previous two years is everyone’s willingness to buy into what myself and the other coaches are doing,” Harris said. “We have worked extremely hard to create a di erent culture for this year’s team, and everyone has proven to be up for the challenge.”

Harris said this year’s returning players and new freshmen have worked cooperatively to strengthen the team.

“We also have six returners who [have] experienced the previous two years and came in this year with a will to want to be better,” Harris said. “ at, mixed with a pretty strong freshman class of ve [players], has been a complete game-changer.”

First Baseman Nathalie Paniagua ’23 said the team’s solid performance this year is due to a tight-knit team and stronger motivation to win.

“I think our performance this year has been signi cantly better than last year’s,” Paniagua. “We’re a very close team that has the drive to win, so I think that has been re ected in the way we practice and play. is year we had a signi cantly larger number of freshmen join our team, which has helped [the team] tremendously as well, setting the team up for future seasons.”

Harris said playo s are a longterm goal that the team ultimately hopes to reach by focusing on one game at a time.

“Our rst goal is to win our league,” Harris said. “We are already on track after defeating Marymount last week. en we will make a run for playo s. We will achieve these goals by taking one game at a time and staying competitive. It will take for us to do all of the little things right and stick to what we know.”

Right Fielder Maiya Holly ’24 said keeping up the team’s momentum is another one of the team’s goals.

“I feel great about this year,” Holly said. “I’m really proud of this group of girls and love the energy and drive that we approach each game with. One of our goals every day is to build up more consistency between every game—after the win last week we want to keep up the good work.”

Holly said softball has taught her about diligence both on and o the eld.

“Repetition and work matters,” Holly said. “All the reps [and] all the time we spend on the eld makes us incrementally better, and over time, that adds up into notable progress. I try to keep that same work ethic when I move o the eld.” new coach has been doing a really good job of teaching the group technique and step intervals. e di erence between taking three steps and ve steps between hurdles in a 110 meter hurdle race can really make a di erence.”

Sprinter and hurdler Satya Chang ’25 said that as the season progresses and the team reaches a certain level of physical tness, the most important aspect of improvement is mentality.

“My goals for this season are to [set a personal record] from last season and ideally try to get sub 50 second in the 300 hurdle race” Chang said. “ at kind of progress is de nitely pushing it, which is why it’s so important to work on the mental aspect of the sport. Physically, it’s doable, so now it’s up to putting myself in the right mindset at meets.” e team will face Notre Dame School March 23.

“I will describe our season as an adjustment period,” Vance said. “After losing seniors last year, our team has had to step up to ful ll the roles of the seniors. We are succeeding as we hit the eld with intensity and skill every time we play.”

Vance said the defense needs to work more collectively as a team in order to better execute their plays.

“On the defensive side of the game, we need to have a better understanding of how our slide package works and trust one another,” Vance said. “Understanding that we rotate as a group is crucial to any team’s success while playing defense.”

Goalkeeper Rohan Mehta ‘23 said injuries could hurt the team’s chances at success this year, especially with fewer players on the roster.

“We are a smaller team this year, but I think that lends itself to a tighter bond between everyone on the team.” Mehta said. “Everyone needs to do a better job of taking care of themselves. We cannot a ord the injuries we have been facing.” e team will play at home game against Loyola on March 24 at 5:30 p.m.