The softball team at Academy is a competitive team and has a strong history of success. The program won States in 2021, their first since 1996, and secured a Regional title in 2017. Last year, they were number one in their district, but unfortunately lost in the Regional Championship to Dunedin. Currently, they are at eight wins and seven losses, going 3-1 at the Palm Harbor tournament, which was a big moment for the team. 

This year is different from past years due to the lack of seniors. With such a young team,  the underclassmen are taking on the leadership roles. Typically, the seniors are the captains, so by not having any, the younger players are forced to take on that role. With no seniors, the team is redefining themselves. 

Junior Ava LaBarbera, one of three captains, states, “I think as the captain of a young team [alongside fellow Juniors Faith DeRing and Taylor Williams], the most important part of my job is establishing the values and traditions left behind from previous years of Academy softball. Being a young team, we have the advantage of connecting and practicing with the same group longer than most teams, so making sure we push each other to be the best we can also gives us an opportunity to be a better team relationship and fix things other teams don’t have the time to. So that also means keeping each other accountable too, regardless of age.”

While the captains feel pressure in leading the team and setting a good example, the freshmen feel a different kind of pressure. With losing five seniors last year, four of which were starters in the infield and the lineup, the freshmen feel the pressure of replacing core players. 

“I love being a freshman on Varsity. I feel like I look up to everyone on the team in a different way. Our team is so close and I feel like we all support each other no matter what. Softball has always been my escape from stress, and I feel like the girls on the team make the season so fun,” said Payton Stocks (‘29). 

This season is defined by transition. With such a young team that will be together for two years, a theme of this year is development mentally and physically. Not only is it about improving skills, but about building confidence, expanding their understanding of the game, and strengthening trust in themselves and each other. 

Even though the team is young, the Sophomores and Juniors are in their second year together, there is definitely a more unified feeling compared to last year. There’s a stronger sense of camaraderie, with more team dinners and a lighter, more relaxed atmosphere on the bus. This will only get better and help the team come together on the field in the coming season.  

Varsity coach, Michael Valdes, states, “we need to focus on defense. Defense helps us compete at a higher level, defense wins championships. If we play solid defense, we will be unstoppable. So, I want our players to work on defense, work on coming together as a team, trusting your teammates on and off the field, believing in yourself, having each other’s back and taking the bumps this year to grow from them and build confidence. We can be champions, we can make it to the final four, we need to believe we can win. Next year, with growth and more confidence, more experience, it will be exciting…but don’t count us out this year. A team can gel and I believe we can do it sooner rather than later. We have the pitching, we need to trust and play hard to support them in the circle. If we do that, watch out for us in the postseason this year.” 

The emphasis of development, trust, and defense highlights the foundation being built this season that others within the program already see taking shape in meaningful ways. 

“This is a very talented and coachable team that wants to succeed for each other. Having that mentality coupled with gaining some valuable experience for the remainder of this season should fuel this group for the future. The future of this young team is incredibly bright! I say all of this while believing that the present season is still one that can be extended into a long playoff run if we continue to grow and learn from each practice and game,” said Athletic Director, Kevin Vargas. 

Although this season is coming to a close, it’s not over yet. There’s still three regular season games, the last one being on April 21 against Berkeley at home, followed by the postseason, starting with districts on April 28.