East Jefferson’s high school fastpitch softball season ended with a Senior Night loss to the Vashon Pirates on May 13 in Port Townsend.

Vashon (4-11) established an early lead and fended off persistent EJ comeback efforts to secure a 17-7 win.

With a roster dominated by underclassmen, the Rivals are graduating just one senior: Azusa Kunii, a Japanese exchange student at Port Townsend.

In her last at-bat, Kunii singled to drive in EJ’s final run of the game and the season.

“The energy in the dugout was insane,” said centerfielder Penina Vailolo, a Chimacum sophomore. “Everyone was cheering and laughing and even though we lost, I think it was the most exciting, fun game I was ever at.”

“We all had one last fun night with Azusa because she goes back to Japan soon,” added catcher Breanne Huntingford, also a Chimacum sophomore.

“Azusa said a few words about how she loved everyone on the team and was sad to leave,” said first baseman Kaetyn Riley, a Chimacum freshman.

The team marked the occasion, Vailolo said, by “taking pictures with Azusa and saying our last goodbyes.”

Despite winning few games, the Rivals (2-13) made progress on several fronts.

“We got more players this season,” Huntingford said, including Vailolo, an “athletic” midseason pickup.

“We grew as athletes,” Huntingford added, “by putting the work in. The team built a great bond. We spent time together not just on the field.”

Season highlights included three out-of-the-park home runs–two hit by Riley, and one by third baseman Gracie Smith, a Chimacum freshman.

Huntingford sees potential for continued improvement. “Our team needs a little more experience and control,” she said, and particularly needs to work on pitching and hitting. “I think we need to go to camps, both as a team and by yourself. If you are dedicated to the sport (camps) will help you and your teammates get better.”

Victories proved scarce early in the season, Riley explained, because “our energy was never right and the chemistry wasn’t there either for most girls because side issues were brought to the field and resulted in poor performance.”

“Sometimes the energy was low” during losses, Vailolo added. “Everyone would be in a bad mood by the third inning, which would affect their abilities.”

The Rivals found ways to cope with adversity. To shake the team out of a slump, the EJ girls sometimes did the “stanky leg” dance in the dugout.

“After every game, win or loss, we would always be laughing and having tons of fun,” said Vailolo. “I think losing those games but just managing to still be happy and just not mad at each other really strengthened our mentality and helped us bond.”

Over time, Riley said, “the team’s mentality grew stronger and better on the field.”

”Our teammates fought sometimes, but they always came back together,” said Vailolo. “We’re like a family and families fight, too. We’re not blood-related, but we know we wouldn’t be complete without each other.”

Brian MacKenzie is a teacher at Chimacum High School.