Varsity softball hits a line drive to CCS

By Maya Dutt, Malar Raguraman, and Mackie Vu

June 2, 2024

After a season of struggles, girls varsity softball overcame several obstacles and qualified for CCS championships, varsity coach Chris Caires said. The team’s strength and determination through hardship helped them make championships, Caires added.

Caires said the girls have a close bond which helps them get through the season. (Photo by Malar Raguraman)

Caires said he recognized the team’s potential since the beginning of the season.

“I felt the varsity team could be competitive in the De Anza division and had a good chance of making the CCS playoffs,” Caires said. “The addition of some talented freshmen players to our varsity squad certainly made a difference.”

However, the beginning of the season was difficult, as Caires had to manage both varsity and JV teams, varsity pitcher Mackenzie Smith said.

“Our coach could not focus on us, which was difficult because we needed practice,” Smith, a freshman, said. “We could not get that practice when we’re trying to focus on both [teams].”

The team was also affected because many players were injured throughout the season, Caires said.

“This season, we only had 12 players on the roster and averaged only 9-10 available for each game mainly due to injuries to various players,” Caires said. “Our largest obstacle was staying healthy.”

On April 22, Bryan Devert joined the team as assistant coach, the varsity team had the opportunity to improve, varsity second base, freshman Elisa Coyle said.

After a season of hard work, Caires said the varsity softball team not only made it to CCS, but they also received an automatic qualifying bid for finishing 4th in the SCVAL De Anza division. Caires said he was happy to hear the news and felt it was well-deserved.

Similarly, Smith said that the team’s high morale helped them make CCS.

“We are all believing in each other,” Smith said. “We all know [we] can do it and we just keep encouraging each other.”

Caires said that he hopes the team will stay strong and perform well during the remainder of the season.

“Our season is not over and I hope it continues,” Caires said. “I hope we are able to continue through CCS playoffs but my favorite part is kind of unwritten right now. I am just hoping everybody is striving to make the postseason.”

About the Contributors

Maya Dutt, Arts & Culture Editor, Design Editor

Maya Dutt is a junior and is an Arts & Culture and Design editor from The Epitaph. She looks forward to helping new reporters and writing articles. She is also a member of marching band. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, doodling and eating good food.

Malar Raguraman, Arts & Culture Editor

Malar is a junior and an Arts & Culture editor for The Epitaph. She looks forward to expressing her beliefs and opinions to the HHS community. Malar wants to learn about unique perspectives and is super excited for her second year on the paper. She enjoys listening to Broadway soundtracks, reading, watching movies, creating friendship bracelets and searching for new experiences.

Mackie Vu, Creative Director

A third year on The Epitaph has reached Mackie Vu's senior year, but he is still looking forward to the long meetings, insightful interviews and the delicious food. As Creative Director, he hopes to help shine more light to the unnoticed parts of The Epitaph and to be a person people can come up to for help. Outside of the exhilarating class of C102, Mackie finds joy in playing in HHS' marching band and dancing in its K-pop club, KREW. Additionally, special to this year, he hopes to live his last year in high school to the fullest with his close friends.