By Savannah Bailey
Staff Reporter
 Working hard all year gave Tracy High’s varsity softball team an advantage as they made their way into the playoffs this year.
 Even though the team only made it to the first round, and lost to Sheldon High school, 5-3, on May 15, the girls continue to hold their heads up high.
 “This is the fastest team I ever coached,” Coach Greg Smith said. “Also, the strongest in that three to four of them can hit the ball out of the park.”
 All year the team has put forward its best effort, and it’s shown with their 22-6 overall and 8-2 in league record. In the last week of the season, Tracy was battling for the playoff spot against Lincoln and Bear Creek. The team ended its season in second place in the SJAA, San Joaquin Athletic Association, league.
 Jazmin Clarke and Ellie Fisher had made the first team the all league team, while Hayley Nunes and Alec Balanon made the second team for the all league team, also honorable mentions were Sabrina George and Taylor Misfeldt.
 Tracy had beat out both Lincoln and Bearcreek, and made their way to the first round of playoffs, however Tracy had fallen short. With the score being 5-2 against Sheldon high, Tracy left with the last loss of the season.
 “Winning or losing” senior Monique Stevenson said, “the girls played and cheered their hearts out.”
 Although there are many talented girls on the team only one of them is a senior, Stevenson has been part of Tracy High softball for four year and on the varsity for two of the four. Stevenson plays centerfield and always runs the bases for the team’s pitcher as a courtesy runner.
 “Monique is one of our three captains, along with Angela Mariani and Brianna Warner,” Smith said. “She leads by example in attitude and work ethic.”
 Although Stevenson will be missed, Smith feels that next year the team will be just as good as they are this year and even potentially better.
 The season may be over, but the team has high hopes and expectations for next year season.
 “My favorite part of the season,” Stevenson said, “was the end, because we could look back and see how close the team had gotten.”
    Returning next year are eight juniors including Brianna Warner and pitcher Julia Fernandez, along with four sophomores, and two freshmen.
        “Tracy softball will be good for many years to come,” Smith said.