Lian Wang
On March 2, the Aragon varsity softball team (1-2 overall) lost their home game against Santa Teresa (3-1 overall) 2-11.
The game got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning with multiple hard hit balls to the outfield by Santa Teresa. Junior left fielder Morgan Marburger caught a fly ball in left field to make the first out of the game. However, it was followed up with a base hit which put a runner on first. The next batter sent a ball deep into right field, resulting in a triple, bringing the runner in to score, and putting Santa Teresa up 0-1 with another runner in scoring position. After that, freshman center fielder Madison Ketcham caught a ball in center field which allowed the runner on third to score. The Dons went into the bottom of the first, losing 0-2.
However, they weren’t down for long. With one runner on base, batting in the four spot, junior catcher Caroline Harger hit a two-run homerun, smashing the ball over the center field fence and tying the game 2-2.
“I went up to the plate with a very clear mind which I think really helped me,” Harger said. “I’m really happy to have started my season off strong and to contribute to the team”.
The next three Aragon batters all walked, resulting in Santa Teresa changing their pitchers. With two outs and bases loaded, Aragon was unable to make contact with the ball and the inning ended with a tied score.
Although the Don’s only pitcher, senior Brooke Tran, threw good pitches and had six strikeouts, Santa Teresa made lots of contact with the ball. The Dons were plagued with defensive errors, including dropped fly balls and pop ups, as well as bobbled ground balls. The team struggled offensively as well, missing multiple opportunities with runners in scoring position.
Photo by Anna He 
Photo by Anna He 
Photo by Lian Wang
On the other hand, Santa Teresa’s offense came alive during the fourth inning, scoring four runs off of a hard hit line drive to right field, as well as a two-run home run which cleared the center field fence. This increased their lead to 2-7.
In the last three innings, Santa Teresa capped the game off with four more runs, while the Dons scored none. After seven innings, the game ended with a score of 2-11.
“We have ways to go,” said head coach Liz Roscoe. “We have a lot of underclassmen that we have to develop, injuries have been killing us, and we need out hitting to get better”.
Some players think that the team has to improve on the mental and team dynamic aspect of the game.
“We have to come in with confidence and have our minds in the game,” said junior third baseman Amelia Gullo. “We have to work on our communication to bring the team together.”
Despite a successful last season that placed them first in the Peninsula-Bay league, the girls are struggling to find a good dynamic after losing last year’s seniors and bringing a handful of underclassmen onto the team.
“I think it’s unfair to make Brooke take the brunt of the work,” Harger said. “We really need to start working together so that we can stop making errors and start supporting our pitcher.”
The team’s next home game will be on March 9 against Design Tech (1-0 overall) at 4 p.m.
