The seniors on Encinal’s softball team have experienced a lot in the past four years: blowout wins, deep playoff runs, and a NCS Runner-Up finish in 2023. But only recently did they achieve something the Jets haven’t done in over two decades – win a league title. Encinal defeated Berkeley 10-5 at Bishop O’Dowd on May 10 to give the Jets its first ever WACC Shoreline League Championship.
“To know that we are that good of a team and Encinal hasn’t had that good of a softball team in a really long time is super cool,” said Senior Teagan Shannon. “It feels like I am part of something really great.”
Encinal (20-4) had already wrapped up a regular season league title by defeating the Yellow Jackets 5-3 on May 3. But a 14-4 win over San Leandro on May 8 coupled with Friday’s win meant the Jets were WACC Shoreline League Tournament Champions as well.
“It was really awesome,” said Senior Lola Whalen. “It’s my senior year and I wanted to go out with a bang. Two league flags is pretty cool, especially when the put them up in the gym.”
The Jets jumped out to an early 3-0 in the first innng and never looked back. Two more run in the fifth pushed Encinal’s lead to 5-1. The Jets led 10-1 after the sixth. Sophomore Cam Tran pitched another solid game, throwing 4 strikeouts over 6.2 innings while giving up 3 runs. Senior Celeste Hurtubise went 4-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBIs.
But this year’s squad is after more than league pennants; their ultimate goal is a North Coast Section Championship.
#2 Encinal will play #15 Miramonte (14-7) on May 15 at Lower Washington Park in Alameda, CA.
