The Baldwin softball team did not do very well against Canon-Mac last year, so they set out to get a win in their game against the Big Macs this season.
They did just that, earning a 8-1 victory that was one of the team’s best performances of the year, sophomore Ava Bonacci said.
“We really wanted to show them that we are the better team, and we did,” Bonacci said.
Junior Reese Temme, meanwhile, cited the team’s rivalry with Bethel Park, which motivated the Highlanders to defeat their section opponents twice this year.
“As we improved, our rivalry with Bethel grew,” Temme said. “Getting to beat them both times showed an improvement from last year to this year – especially since we lost to them last year.”
Strong performances like those led the softball team to their first playoff appearance in several years. Although Baldwin lost to North Hills in a first-round game, the team’s growth throughout the season was significant.
“This season was very rewarding because we have put in so much work over the past few years to get to this point,” senior Gabby Jaquay said.
It is all part of a process to turn the team into a consistent winner.
“We’re rebuilding the culture,” Bonacci said. “Everybody is there – not just for themselves, but to support each other. Everybody wants the same end result.”
Temme agreed.
“I believe the trust we have built with one another has won us many games,” Temme said. “We all understand the game and trust our teammates to step up in clutch situations.”
Senior Kaylee Smolko said the team’s chemistry contributed to their success.
“All of our hard work finally paid off, and you could see our chemistry when we came together on the field,” Smolko said.
Temme has been around long enough to feel the change.
“It feels amazing to do so well,” Temme said. “It’s a completely new environment from past years, and the team chemistry has kept us all so motivated.”
Senior Gabby Jaquay agreed.
“This was a big jump for us. We’ve never been this successful in my four years here,” Jaquay said.
According to Jaquay, the team’s pitchers have been the biggest contributors this year.
“Camryn Temme made first team all section, which was extremely well deserved,” Jaquay said.
Along with Camryn Temme, her sister, Reese, also made first team all-section. Jaquay, senior Ryley Shaw, and sophomore Melina DeFelice made second team all-section.
Bonacci has particularly appreciated the team’s seniors. They build up the team and encourage every player.
“They hype everybody up the whole game,” she said.
The seniors, meanwhile, wish the returning team members success in the future.
“I hope this success continues after we’re gone,” Jaquay said.
