Two years ago Jenna Lloyd-Randolfi and Caitlin Stuhan were just two freshmen looking to fill their time. Like so many, they were brought to Hopkins to prepare for the future - Caitlin on an academic scholarship and Jenna for the renowned engineering department. Both had played softball all through high school, even receiving some letters from schools with full programs, but they couldn't compete with our resources.
Separately they wandered down the aisles at the SAC fair. Both were eager to rekindle their love of softball, but they found nothing amid miscellaneous tables. Caitlin still remembers that frustrating day. "I signed up for club basketball and soccer as well as a million other groups, but there was no softball. I figured this had to be a mistake, but when I looked into it more, there was no extant club."
Flash forward two years and you have a small group of 15 girls. Twice a week, equipment in hand, they trudge half a mile into the woods to a small softball field with no formal coaching, no financial backing and not even a locker room to change in. They're driven solely by their desire to play. If it rains, they play inside. If they want batting practice, they carpool down to the public batting cages. They're still not recognized as an organized team, but that can't stop them. Once a dead program, another victim of Title IX, Hopkins softball has experienced a most unexpected rebirth in a short amount of time.
First and foremost, none of this would be possible without Gabby Castellano. They went to him with the idea for a girl's softball club team, and he delivered. He's used the same contacts and contributors as the baseball team and has gotten them deals on equipment. SAC has also put forward some capital. But the team still has a long way to go.
A year ago, it was only four girls - not even enough players to field an infield. "Practices" were mostly just playing catch in the gym, driving out to the batting cages, or just general fitness exercise. Now they have 15 members with several more on their mailing list. They have acting coaches in sophomore Jeremy Bremer and junior Kempton Baldridge. They play as often as they can and are getting better by the minute.
Not a lot of schools in the area have programs, but the Jays have put in an excellent debut season. While their season mostly consisted of exhibition games against nearby colleges, that didn't stop them from finishing their season with a dominating victory over Loyola college. While fall isn't typically the season for softball, that doesn't stop them from playing. The same will continue with winter, where the girls plan on practicing indoors and participating in other rec sports to keep their team morale up.
Come spring, just about two years since Jenna and Caitlin first tried to get softball started up at Hopkins, they'll lead their team into a full schedule, with proposed games against the likes of Univ. of Maryland, UVA, GW and Goucher. Their fielding is first rate, their hitting is getting better all the time, and behind the strong arm of Nivia Acosta, they're looking like a serious threat.
But through it all, it's been the team mentality that has kept them focused. As Caitlin said, "the incredible commitment that we've gotten from our girls has led this team from non-existence to legitimacy and success, and we're going to continue to improve."
Even with all the success, they're always looking for new girls. Anyone looking to join should contact either Jenna or Caitlin, or e-mail the team at hopkinssoftball@gmail.com. Until then, anyone's welcome at the team practices, which are usually held Wednesdays 4:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the field in Wyman Park.
Two years ago, softball was dead - no players, no team, no interest whatsoever. But now it's quickly becoming a staple, so long as this small group of players continue to play the game they love.
