By Dan Hudkins

Softball is off to a terrific start! Harker is 3-2 overall, and the two losses were to teams that play in higher-ranked leagues. Harker plays in the Foothill Division of the West Bay Athletic League (WBAL), which is a “C” league. Monte Vista is in an “A” league, and Yuerba Buena, Gunderson, Menlo-Atherton and Lincoln are in “B” leagues, so the Harker softball team has actually been “fighting above our weight” and doing just fine.

Last year the squad made it to the Central Coast Sectional (CCS) tournament. The rules are that the top two finishers in the Foothill division are automatically in, and the first place finisher in the Skyline division of the WBAL plays the third place finisher in Foothill — last year, that was Harker. The team finished in third in Foothill and had to play and win one extra game to make it into the tournament. Hopes are running high for this year.

Many girls have been coming out to play, and their skills are developing quickly. This can only happen with parental support for their regular attendance at practice, good nutrition and adequate sleep. The coaches also appreciate the planning families are doing to help the team go.

The game on March 14 was a perfect end-of-preseason match as almost every player was able to get into the game (skill development), there was great camaraderie in the dugout (having fun), and Harker won! The coaches look forward to seeing continued support from the Harker community throughout the softball season.