Despite only having one win this season, the Mission Bay High softball team looks to bounce back in the remaining 10 games, with all of them being in league. The lone victory came versus Central High on March 10 where the Bucs had an offensive explosion to come out with the 11-4 win.

If there is one game that has been a microcosm of Mission Bay’s season, it would be the match against Hilltop High where the Bucs took an 8-7 lead into the final inning only to give up four runs in the top of the seventh for the 11-7 loss.

“We are a very young team with a lot of talent,” said head coach Vincent Ichihara. “We have three talented seniors, Addy Hall, Melia Cota, and Laura Pilger who are leading this young group. Each game we are getting better and better.”

MBHS has fought hard all season long but the opponents have come up with timely hits in big moments. Mission Bay next plays three straight home games against AOLP, Scripps Ranch, and University City. The Bucs then travel to face off with Cathedral Catholic on April 25 before a home rematch against Patrick Henry on April 27 followed by three road games. Mission Bay then closes out the regular season at home against Cathedral Catholic.

If the Bucs can finish the same way as in 2022, when they won eight of their final nine regular season games, or anything close to that, then Mission Bay could turn this season into a Cinderella story of the ages. The Bucs went on to win the Western League last season for the first time since 1987. Mission Bay has won other league titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Photo by Steve Sidell