The Palo Alto High School varsity girls’ softball team will kick off its season with its first non-league game against Notre Dame High School after school on Wednesday, March 11, on the Paly softball field.
The Vikings hope to fulfill their high expectations for the new season, after tying for first place in the El Camino League last season. The team finished its season with an 11-1 record in leagues and a 19-8-1 record overall, and now intends to echo last season’s success by reclaiming the league title once more, according to senior team captain Allie Coleman.
“I think one of our biggest goals is winning league — and being the sole winner would be great, because we tied last year with Wilcox [High School],” Coleman said.
Coach Jake Halas believes that the team can continue its success from last season, citing continuous improvement as this season’s main goal.
“Getting better every single day we step out on the field — that’s our biggest goal,” Halas said. “If we accomplish that goal, we’ll be proud of our season. It doesn’t really matter how we are right now; what matters is how we’re doing by the end of the season.”
Although general tryouts have ended, the team’s roster is not yet finalized, as a few members from last year’s team are still returning from winter sports, according to Halas.
“We’re still waiting for some girls to come back from basketball and soccer,” Halas said, “but the team’s mostly set up.”
As of now, the team is almost identical to last season’s, with only one newcomer, freshman Caitlin Tirador, according to Halas. The team boasts four all-league players: junior pitcher Kelly Jenks, senior catcher Allie Coleman, junior shortstop Lauren Buculo, and sophomore second baseman Gracie Marshall.
According to Halas, the team will concentrate on engaging its maximum effort in each game this season.
“As a whole, this team’s attitude is to work and be more aggressive,” Halas said. “If we lose a game, it’s not going to be because we were out-hustled, or because we didn’t have enough effort. The other team will have to be better, if we’re going to lose.”
The team also plans to improve its skills and eliminate weaknesses as much as possible.
“We have to hit the ball better this year,” Halas said, “and team defense needs to be sharper in preseason.”
Halas believes that the team’s biggest league rivals will most likely be Santa Clara High School and Saratoga High School.
“I think they’re [Santa Clara] pretty tough right now,” Halas said. “We swept them last year, but they were a young team as well.”
Overall, Coleman is confident that the team will have another strong season.
“We have a lot of talent and girls returning [from last year’s team],” Coleman said. “I think we’ll do really well as long as we keep improving, and we’ll definitely have a great season this year.”
March 2, 2009 Editor’s Note: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that the softball team’s first non-league game will be on Tuesday, March 3. The first non-league game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11. The current version of the story reflects this change.