Many of the seniors in varsity softball first took the field together at just six years old. Now, years later, they shared their last home game against Woodside High School on Tuesday, May 13. Friends and family gathered in the stands to cheer for the team as players ran around the Burlingame bases one last time. Despite the special occasion, the Panthers fell short to Woodside, ultimately losing 6-2.

After a slow start in the early innings, the Panthers gained momentum when senior Sienna Fuss scored a run in the sixth inning. Later in the game, senior Eleni Menicou scored their second run in the seventh inning and contributed to two of the team’s four hits. According to junior Brooke Schuman, the team’s chemistry, like their senior night game, is one of continuous improvement.

“I would say we struggled a little bit at the start, but at the end, we were really able to band together. Our coach said the same thing, at the start of the season we weren’t as much of a team, but towards the end we were able to all really connect, and I think that’s what made the game more successful,” Schuman said.

Despite the loss, Schuman said the matchup against Woodside was one of their better games, as the team played more cohesively. For senior Amalia Alfers, one of their biggest challenges in this game was getting runners on base.

“We definitely struggled getting hits, but I think that was nerves. I think a lot of our mistakes came from nerves, because there’s never really been this many people,” Alfers said. “I feel like we were all trying to be really positive and trying to shake off mistakes.”

According to Alfers, a benefit of playing together for so long is being able to support each other and give feedback on mistakes. She said that an important takeaway from this game is the importance of communication.

“When we communicated, it definitely worked out a lot better, helping each other know where to throw and know what’s happening. I definitely think communication is a good lesson for us,” Alfers said.

For players who aren’t graduating this year, next season is an opportunity to build on their growth. Next season, Schuman said she looks forward to playing alongside both her current teammates and new ones.

“It’s such a great group that we have,” Schuman said. “And then also, there’s only, I want to say, four or five sophomores, so just meeting new people, the new coming class, and seeing how they work together.”

Although the team may not have won as many games this season, Alfers said the experience was a positive one.

“It was super fun. This is one of the funnest teams I’ve been on, all the girls are so positive and funny,” Alfer said. “… I never was like… ‘I don’t want to go to practice’ or ‘I don’t want to go to a game.’ I know I’m gonna have the best time. So I’d say my teammates are just amazing people, I really love being around them.”