Our Seniors
Today, Firecrackers Rico/Weil wants to celebrate our Class of 2020. We have some amazing young women that make up our Senior class and wanted to share some of their favorite softball moments and what playing the game has meant to them.
Thessa Malau'ulu
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory of all time was winning the CIF championship my freshman year alongside my sister and my cousins.
Looking Back in 20 Years: 20 years from now I will look back and want to relive every moment on the field. Softball has brought out the best in me and the many friendships and opportunities it has blessed me with is beyond belief. The day when I officially hang up my cleats for good will be one of the saddest moments of my life. Hopefully that day is long down the road.
Antuanett Dean
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory is when I was playing on So Cal Athletics Turner and my team and I were playing a night game against the top team in our organization. We previously had lost badly. Before the game, we all sat in a circle and talked to our Coach Evelyn over the phone and she told us that we should just have fun and that we need to make it simple. After that conversation, we all had the best game that I can ever remember. It was a game that we’ll never forget and it showed me that I can play against anyone on that field.
Looking Back in 20 Years: In 20 years , I would look back at the people, places, experiences, and opportunities that the softball world has provided me and be so grateful that I didn’t become a gymnast. Every time I would think back about softball, it would be a bittersweet memory because I would be sad that I can’t be on the field playing for the name on my chest, but at the same token I would be glad that this sport had given me so much that I had and will continue to use throughout my life. The way that this sport has molded me and how it is continuing to mold me has impacted me in the best way.
Bailey Wallace
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory was from a tournament my freshman season of high school softball. We were in the championship game and I hit a home run to put us ahead. We ended up winning the game and then we went to a big team dinner.
Looking Back in 20 Years: When I look back at my days playing softball I’m going to realize how much this sport truly impacted me as a person. It helped me build long lasting and strong friendships, it made me a mentally tough person, it prepared me for adversity and the challenges I’ll face throughout my life.
Riley Orcutt
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory would probably have to be Colorado last year. I grew so much closer to my teammates and had tons of fun. One thing I vividly remember is hiding in the car while the lightning was striking outside and joking around while we waited to play.
Looking Back in 20 Years: In 20 years, I will look back on my softball experiences and remember the friendships I had made and what teamwork looked like. I will always remember that you have to work hard to succeed and when you are surrounded by others who love you, they will push you to be the best you can be. I will forever be grateful for all the opportunities and family that softball has given me.
Shelbi Ortiz
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memories have been traveling to tournaments and spending time with all of my teammates. Also meeting so many people and being able to stay in touch with all of them throughout the years.
Looking Back in 20 Years: 20 years from now, I will look back on softball and be beyond grateful for all the experiences and life long friends it has brought me. Softball has transformed me into the person I am today and taught me the importance of working hard and working as a team.
Britton Rogers
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory is being in the bottom of the ninth inning of the playoffs with runners on second and third and being the huddle and no one is panicked, everyone was calm and we knew we had this. We ended up getting out of the jam and winning the game.
Looking Back in 20 Years: I will look back and be so grateful. I will be grateful for the opportunities I was given, the coaching I received, and the girls I got the chance to play with growing up. Most people are not as lucky as I was and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I was given!
Alessandra Samperio
Favorite Softball Memory: Out of my 12 years of playing softball I would have to say my favorite memory is going to the CIF Softball Championship my sophomore year. Even though it didn’t end the way we wanted it to the whole day was filled with emotions and memories I will never forget.
Looking Back in 20 Years: 20 years from now I will look back at the days I played softball and remember the friendships I made with my teammates and coaches. I will be thankful for the people that pushed me all those years to get better and to never give up because without each of them I wouldn’t have had the chance to be where I am at.
Xophia Venegas
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory was in my first year of travel ball when I was in the World Series. It was the championship game & we were up 7-5 & a ball got hit to me in the outfield & I lost it in the sun & two runs scored. I was SO embarrassed. We got out of the inning & I was up 4th. The bases were loaded when I came up to bat & I was already upset because I thought I had lost the game for us. I squared a ball up & it bounced off the fence, scoring all 3 runs & I walked it off. From then on, I realized that softball was a game of failure & that there was always a way to redeem yourself. I looked at softball completely different from that day forward.
Looking Back in 20 Years: 20 years from now, I hope to look back on my career and have no regrets. I hope that I become someone that people look up to & wish to be. I hope to inspire others with the way I play the game of softball & the way I carry myself as a person. I will look back on these days & be reminded that these were some of the greatest times of my life. I am forever grateful to the sport of softball for introducing me to my best friends and lifelong sisters.
Carly Robbins
Looking Back in 20 Years: I’ll look back on my days playing softball as the best time in my life. It helped shaped me into the person I have become and gave me life long friends. I will always remember the fun times we had traveling across the country to play the game we love.
Jamie Sellers
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory is when my highschool team won the Dave Kops, Tournament of Champions in Laughlin then had a team sleepover in the hotel.
Looking Back in 20 Years: 20 years from now I will remember the countless friendships with my teammates, and relationships with my coaches. I will cherish all the lessons the game has taught me as I have grown up.
Payden Bordeau
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite softball memory was at PGF in 2018. We were playing in a evening game and we just intentionally walked the previous batter to load the bases with 1 out. Everyone was going crazy, yelling at the batter coming up to bat to hit one over. I called time, called our infield in and said to relax and that we are going to make a double play right here to end the inning. One pitch later made we made a 5-2-3 play to end the inning to move onto the next day.
Looking Back in 20 Years: 20 years from now I would say my experience was absolutely amazing. The struggle, pain, and everything else, all get washed out at the end of the day by all of the awesome memories that stick with you forever! Softball has been a huge part of me and the experiences will always be a great story to tell.
Savannah Serrata
Favorite Softball Memory: My favorite memory would have to be all the road trips to Colorado with my family and friends. Staying in the hotels with my teammates and competing to win the big tournaments.
Looking Back in 20 Years: I will look back 20 years from now thinking about how it was the best time of my life playing softball. Softball is so important to me because it has shaped the type of person I am today, on and off the field, and has created friendships I will forever cherish.
