Freshman phenoms take the field
“The fact that they can earn spots and keep them is very impressive,” said Breezy Wise, junior. Wise is referring to the three freshmen infielders that started for the Varsity softball team this year. Wise plays centerfield for the Panthers and has started all three years.
The three freshmen that started for the Panthers were first baseman, Serena Huchingson; second baseman, Paige Barth; and third baseman, SeaEnna Satcher. Satcher, like most freshmen, was nervous but excited when she was named as a starter. “I didn’t expect it at all. I was just hoping for some playing time and to have a good time with the team,” she said, “It was a great experience. I was so thankful to have the opportunity to be on Varsity and work for my spot on the field.”
These three girls have been playing softball on the same team since they were eight years old. “We met on the field and became good friends off the field as time passed,” Satcher said. They turned an already young roster into the youngest starting lineup in the league.
The Panthers had only two seniors on the roster, Kaitlyn Dane and Aby Brambila, and both started almost every game. Dane was the starting pitcher and Brambila was the shortstop. Brambila started alongside the three freshmen in the infield. “We did not have a lot of (high school) experienced players. But we did well for what we had,” Brambila said. Brambila was disappointed that more seniors didn’t try out, “…our seniors didn’t want to play anymore. So the freshmen were our best option,” she said.
Most young high school athletes play with teammates that are similar to their own age, and do not have many opportunities to interact with the older athletes. This can cause disconnection between teams in the same program and can bring teams down when younger athletes are moved up due to injuries of older players. Having all four grade levels represented on one team is unique. “I think it’s a very good balance. I think the older girls can teach the younger ones something new, and vice versa,” Wise said.
Finishing the season with a 15-10 record and placing fourth in the Marmonte League, the Panthers earned a spot in the playoffs. Although they lost their first playoff game 12-2 at Mission Viejo High School, the girls were proud of their season. Wise is confident that “if everyone works hard again next year, the team can go further.”
