Santa Rosa Academy's softball season ends in 5-1 loss

Senior Audrey Garcia drove in the only run of the game for Santa Rosa Academy. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Santa Rosa Academy softball team ended its season with a 5-1 loss to visiting Palm Desert in the first round of the CIF playoffs on Thursday.

Madelyn Brotemarkle (right) and Kadence Bernard pitched for the Rangers and each got two strikeouts, allowing 10 hits total.

Head coach Dan Torres said despite the outcome, he is proud to have played well in the team’s first time seeing this level of competition.

“To go from a league where most of the teams we play are Division 7 level teams to here in Division 4 and play that way, it’s amazing we did so well,” Torres said.

Isis Enriquez, Jordan Krueger, Audrey Garcia, and Lisa Cante each put a hit on the board for the Rangers. Garcia, as one of the team’s seniors and captain, said the adjustment to Palm Desert’s pitching and the infield plays were something to be proud of even after a loss.

“It took a while but we all started getting on [the pitcher], and also those were some hard hit balls there but we got them,” Garcia said.

More than just finishing the season with a playoff game, however, Garcia said what makes her most proud is how this team came together this year.

“Everyone’s always so supportive, even if you don’t do well. I told them thanks for being a family to me,” Garcia said.

The gratitude is double-sided, according to Torres.

“She’s a jewel. She never has anything negative to say about anyone. I’m going to miss her tremendously,” Torres said.

Along with three other seniors—Brotemarkle, Katelyn Kaewpalug, and Cayla Roberts— Garcia finished this season and her high school softball career. They led the team to a league championship (the third consecutively) and a 10-8 record. Though their team will miss the four seniors, that leaves the majority of the lineup due to return for the Rangers’ season next year.

Lisa-Marie Cante connects for Santa Rosa Academy in their playoff game Thursday. (Photo by Rick Rowell)