Varsity Softball fell 17-1 to Cupertino High School on Tuesday, May 7, in its 11th game of the season. The game ended after five innings under the mercy rule, which states that a game automatically ends when one team is up 10 runs in five innings.
Although both teams scored no runs in the first two innings, by the end of the third inning, CHS was up four runs. Senior and second baseman Jewell Ralston attributes the lead to both CHS’ higher skill level but also challenges among MVHS’ team.
“Our team tends to make mistakes and it snowballs,” Ralston said. “We make one error and it makes everyone else struggle.”
Despite the errors, junior and catcher Elizabeth Trotter thinks the team performed better than in past games, citing better throws and fewer errors, although she believes that the team’s hitting could still be improved. In the fourth inning, Trotter hit a home run, which was the highlight of her game. In her three years of being on the team, Ralston has rarely witnessed anyone hit a home run.
“I felt really good,” Trotter said. “I was worried that I wouldn’t get a home run this season. I only get one per season and we have two games left.”
Despite Trotter’s home run, MVHS struggled to maintain momentum on offense, and the inning ultimately ended 13-1. By the fifth inning, the score came to 17-1 and CHS took the victory. Despite the loss, Trotter thinks the team was able to not let the loss affect them. She recounts how the team would cheer when their pitcher struck out the other team to keep a jovial mood.
“We kept our spirits up very well,” Trotter said. “We were making fun of each other and we were just making the best out of the game despite us losing.”
