A real-life Hallmark movie unfolded for the Scotts Valley-based 10U Banshees recreational girls’ softball team at Siltanen Park last Wednesday evening.
After losing their first tournament game in devastating fashion (by giving up a five-run lead in the bottom of the last inning), the Banshees battled back to win five straight games and claim the title of SVGS Juniors Tournament Champions.
Playing from the loser’s bracket, this scrappy group of 9- and 10-year-olds dug deep and delivered an inspiring display of grit, resilience and teamwork.
On their path to victory, the Banshees systematically eliminated every team in the league—starting with the Knights, Blue Flames and Arctic Wolves—before beating the undefeated regular season champions, the Sharks, in back-to-back games. The scores for the final two games were 10-9 and 9-5.
Keilani Kim, 10, attends Brook Knoll Elementary and finds herself playing three different positions: pitcher, first base and shortstop. During the regular season, her batting average was 0.655 and on-base percentage was 0.828. She also hit 12 home runs, including one that went over the fence—a distance of 215 feet.
Kim’s been on the field for five years and loves her team because they’re loud and supportive. Lessons learned include: “Step before I throw. Squish the bug with my back foot when I hit and swing faster,” Kim said. “They tell me I can do it!”
Eliana Rose Lippman, also 10, attends Vine Hill Elementary School. What does she love about her team? “Really amazing players who never quit, and coaches who are so supportive and encouraging.” When asked if she intends to play softball again next season, she replied, “Yaaaaa duuhhh.”
Another Vine Hill student, Kendall Mae Jones, attends Baymonte and plays pitcher, first and third bases, shortstop and left field. Her favorite part of the season was, “Being a good team, getting first place in playoffs and being a good teammate.”
Jones, like her fellow players, is looking forward to playing next season. Her batting average was 0.538, with an on-base percentage of 0.615.
Rylee Shay Bright, who is almost 10 years old, spends most of her time at second base and in left field. Bright, who attends Vine Hill School and has played for four seasons, said the highlights of this season include “winning the championship, making good friends and having such nice coaches.” Bright loved learning about the tag-up rule and stealing bases and is excited to get back to the game next year.
Makayla Guske, a Vine Hill student, plays second base as well. This is her fourth season of playing, and what does she love about the experience? “The cheers and how everyone is so friendly! Everyone cheers for each other, lifts each other up, gives high fives for good plays/hits, and helps to brush off any mistakes,” Guske said. Her favorite lesson from the season? Knowing “where the play is at.”
Catcher Caroline Grace Draper has been playing softball for half her life. The 10-year-old said about the season, “I was proud of how we handled ourselves on the field. If we lost, we didn’t have a big breakdown. It actually made us more determined to win. I was also really proud of how the experienced players didn’t just hang out by themselves, we encouraged the younger players to get better, and we ended up being one big group. The coaches taught me not to be afraid of the ball. They also taught me that you have to be tough to play softball. You’re never going to be a good player unless you’re willing to charge the ball.”
Teagan Ricky Breed, 11, is the veteran of the team. A Brook Knoll student, she finds herself at third base and in the outfield during games. “I’ve played in Scotts Valley Girls’ Softball since t-ball,” and her favorite part of being on the team is the friendships she’s developed. Her favorite lesson? “Swing earlier with a fast pitcher.” Is Breed returning to the field next season? She’s undecided, “but mom is hopeful.”
Coaches Mandy Draper and Sarah Kim are ecstatic over the way their team played. “(This team) is so special because it is an opportunity to break up cliques and meld kids from different schools. After a practice or two, these kids were friends. By the end of the season, they were true teammates and allies. The chemistry between them was fire. They really loved and trusted each other. It’s going to make their transition to middle school so much easier having had this time playing together,” Draper said.
As for Kim, “The group of girls are special because they listen, they get along, and they work hard. They care about one another and are committed to the team. There was no drama all season which was refreshing. Each kid contributed to our success. It helps that Mandy focuses on developing the players throughout the season and things just fell into place for the final tournament. They showed resilience to win the championship after the first game upset by the Arctic Wolves and had to beat each team one by one to come back for the Sharks in the championship. The Banshees were on fire at the end of the season and played as a true team,” she added.
The season was so compelling that Banshees super fans and grandparents of No. 9 Beatrix Knight, David and Caroline Haskin, even canceled their upcoming vacation to be able to attend the last two games.
When asked about the season, they responded by saying, “We got so much pleasure out of watching these young women take the opportunity that team sports provide to learn life lessons. Beyond giving them a solid understanding of the game, and teaching them new skills, their coaches helped them develop self-confidence, confidence in each other, and most importantly, how to be gracious winners and losers. Ending the season with this accomplishment also helped to reinforce that hard work, determination and faith in each other can pay dividends. It was so much fun to watch their growth. We are so proud of all of them.”
