For the fourth consecutive year, the JDS varsity softball team won the PVAC championship. The team maintained an undefeated record throughout the entire regular season and the playoffs and defeated the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in the championship on May 10, with a score of 12-1.

At the beginning of the season, the team welcomed eight freshmen while preparing to part ways with the five juniors after the season, who had supported the program’s success the past few years. This adjustment created both challenges and opportunities for the team throughout the season. 

Head coach Thomas Worden said the coaches had to figure out which younger players were ready to take on larger roles. As the season progressed, the team slowly adjusted to the changes by helping newer players develop, which contributed to their strong season and could help build success in future years.

“It’s been a lot of work trying to bring those players up and to figure out who is actually going to be in those positions of responsibility,” Worden said. “We had to go through a number of players to be able to decide.”

The other main factor that led to the Lions’ success was the juniors’ leadership. The five upperclassmen finished their high school softball careers without losing a single in-conference game, helping continue their dominance in the league.

Junior and captain Yarden Wilkenfeld said one of the key parts behind the team’s success was their energy and support. Early in the season, the juniors worked to lift the team’s spirit and keep everyone engaged during games. As the playoffs went on, they saw a lot more cheering, which helped build confidence on the field and allowed them to play better. 

“Stepping into the role as juniors really allowed us to have more fun and embrace our position on the team,” Winkenfeld said. “People looked up to us, and that just meant that we set the tone.”

Despite the Lions’ constant success, they went into every game focused and determined to keep their winning streak alive. Freshman and pitcher Mae Stein said she knew she needed to give all her effort throughout the season, but especially at the championship game, even though the team was used to winning. 

Stein took on the important role of being the main pitcher. According to Stein, the position came with a lot of pressure, but she worked hard to be successful and help her team however she could.

“Going into the championship game, I was very nervous,” Stein said. “We played Model before and only beat them by one, so I knew I had to come in ready and stay focused.”

The Lions have proved their place in the league through their continuous success. When Worden began coaching, he said there was a lot of rebuilding to do, but the team’s recent accomplishments have shown how much the program has grown. Worden said the team begins practicing during the winter, long before the season starts, which has helped create its competitive culture.

The team hopes to continue putting as much effort as possible into the program in order to continue its dominance in the PVAC. Wilkenfeld said the success is a reflection of the work both the coaches and players put in each year. 

“Winning feels great,” Wilkenfeld said. “It feels like a testament to all of our hard work, and I have faith that they’ll continue the streak.”