SJND Softball Team on a Six-Game Win Streak
Written by Ella Schwartz ‘27
SJND varsity softball season has had a roaring start and the team is currently on a roll. With a record of 6–1 and a six-game win streak, the team is tearing through the league. Coach Ralph Gonzalez, who was unavailable for comment, has been guiding the team throughout the season. The team has consistently shown exceptional skill and teamwork, making them a formidable opponent in the league.
Standout players this season are Cassandra Sanchez, a sophomore pitcher who displays confidence on the mound, Lexi Roben, a junior who shows great agility and athleticism at shortstop, and Safah Hashemi, also a junior who shows extreme grit and supports the team behind the plate.
Cassandra, informally known as Cassie, grew up watching A’s games and overall loving baseball and played tee ball up until around the age of 10 where she switched to playing higher level competitions. She was originally incredibly hesitant about pitching but embraced the challenge and grew to love it.
Being a pitcher obviously has its ups and downs and Cassie is no stranger to them. Cassie expresses, “Being a pitcher is very hard mentally. I know that for me when my defense doesn’t have my back, I try to do it all myself and I screw myself up. It’s also a very dangerous position as we don’t have as much time to react as infield and outfield.” Despite these cons, our pitcher still loves her position. She states, “It’s an amazing feeling when you learn new pitches and execute them beautifully and all the support and cheering you get from teammates and fans. You are the center of attention as pitcher.”
Cassie so far has struck out 65 batters, making her the top pitcher in the East Bay Counties League. However, Cassie is not only excelling at pitching. With a .370 batting average, she is also a beast at the plate. She is currently ranked among the league leaders in RBIs in the East Bay alongside teammate Ella Schwartz. Cassie has also scored 10 runs throughout the season. In the midst of the chaotic season, Cassie remains grounded and determined to continue her journey throughout her sport.
Lexi Roben was unfortunately unavailable for comment, but still shows some impressive stats. She started playing her sophomore year and was placed at shortstop from there. She has an impressive .947 fielding average. Her batting average is .381 and has knocked in two home runs with hopefully many more to come.
Safah Hashemi, the catcher for the SJND softball team, originally had no intentions of joining the softball team. However, Coach Ralph Gonzalez approached her one day in P.E with an invitation to play despite Safah having no prior experience. “ I just decided to try it out and when I did, I really enjoyed it,” she stated. Joining the team as a freshmen was obviously quite nerve wracking; however, she expressed how supportive and loving the upperclassmen were.
Initially placed in the outfield specifically right, Safah found herself thrown into a new position as the team needed a new catcher. “My coaches explained I would have to start learning,” she recalls. Safah was excited but also a little scared at the prospect but rose to the challenge quite quickly.
The transition from outfield to catcher comes with its own pros and cons. Safah explains the advantages saying, “Pros of catching are being able to see the entire field and situations as well as being close to the umpire to ask any questions.” However, she openly admits the challenges such as joint pains and the time consuming process of taking on and off gear.
Despite these issues, Safah has been able to notice progress in her own abilities even since last season. She expresses how she feels she has improved specifically in her communication and catching by stating, “From last year, I feel like I’ve improved my communication skills and catching skills overall.” Beyond her own personal growth, however, Safah expresses the great mood surrounding the team overall. She explains, “The atmosphere of the softball team is very welcoming and encouraging, and everyone is helpful when you need guidance.
Safah’s stats, though not nearly as flashy as the other two, are still incredibly impressive. She has 9 RBIs, making her a reliable batter. She also has an impressive fielding percentage of .988.
As the season continues, the team hopes to keep their impressive streak and continue striving towards excellence. Led by Coach Ralph Gonzales, the team has consistently demonstrated teamwork and individual teamwork. Standout players such as Cassandra Sanchez, Lexi Roben, and Safah Hashemi have shown incredible skill allowing the team to excel. Cassandra has dominated both the plate and the mound, earning her the title of number one pitcher in the East Bay Counties League. Lexi’s defensive and offensive contributions have been incredibly valuable, while Safah’s journey from outfield to catcher shows athleticism and flexibility. Despite the challenges these athletes have faced, they continue to persevere and the future for the SJND softball team is looking bright.
