Softball Senior Night against Mt. Carmel ended in a blowout 6-0 win for the Wolverines, May 16. They finished the season with a 17-8 record.
During the game, pictures of seniors Taylor Thomas (12), Aleya Colon (12), and Kaylie Taraila (12) hung on the walls of the dugout. Before the game, the seniors were greeted by balloons, gift baskets and streamers. After playing softball together for years, they’ve learned how to work well together.
“Playing a sport full of failure requires a lot of camaraderie, and I think we’ve found that, the team’s chemistry, and respect for each other,” Taraila said.
Since freshman year, Colon, Thomas, and Taraila have been playing on varsity, and this year they shared the position of co-captains. Additionally, when they were kids they played rec softball together.
“We have definitely grown closer throughout these four years, not just as teammates but as friends,” Colon said. “Especially this year, since we all shared the captain role, we grew closer through that, and also just the responsibilities of being a senior led us to become super close this year.”
This game in particular held high stakes, as it was a league-determining match.
From start to finish, the dugout was booming with cheers from the players and their energy translated to the fans as well. Colon said all the energy from the crowd helped carry them through the game.
“We were having the time of our lives on the field,” Colon said. “We were laughing, having fun, and just not being too hard on ourselves as athletes.”
Westview was up to bat in the beginning of the first inning, with the score still 0-0. Thomas was first up at bat and got onto base. After a few other players hit, she scored the first point of the game.
“It helped start the game on a good note,” Thomas said. “I think getting a run in the first inning helped fire up the team and give us confidence for the rest of the game.”
The play was followed with two people making it home in the same play, Emma Guzman (11) and Kiana Rodriguez (9. Thomas’ run keyed a first-inning outburst that saw the team jump out to an early 5-0 lead.
“I think we did a great job at keeping our energy maxed,” Taraila said. “Physically, we played a perfect game of softball; we were hitting great, scoring runs, and playing an almost perfect defense.”
Westview kept up strong defense as the second inning ended with no change in score. In the third inning, Kamilla Taraila (9) made it home, bringing the score to 6-0.
For four years, they have devoted their high school lives to softball.
“Having practice every day and games on other days, not having much time for homework and social life was a hard adjustment, but when you have a team like we did this year, it makes going to those games and practices fun and feel like we’re just hanging out,” Colon said.
“I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life, however, I’m sad to be leaving behind this team,” Kamilla said. “The bond I’ve created with each and every one of them is unmatched.”
The end of this season and the school year have been bittersweet for Taraila and Thomas since they will not be playing softball in college. However, Colon is committed to University of Redlands where she will continue her softball career.
“I’m going to miss the experience of high school softball,” Colon said. “The team dinners and laughs during bus rides, but mostly this amazing team that was like family.”
