Wednesday brought sunshine, and thankfully no rain. Maybe mother nature knew it was softball’s Senior Day. The Big Green hosted Loomis Chaffee for their final game of the season, taking on one of their toughest opponents yet. With a 10-1 record, Loomis entered the contest as a dominant force, but Deerfield was ready to put their growth and hard work to the test.
Adding a special layer to the day, Loomis assistant coach Hannah Insuik, a Deerfield alum and former assistant coach for the DA softball team, returned to her old home turf. It was so special for the coaches and program to reconnect with her.
Before the first pitch, Deerfield celebrated six seniors: Haley Abraham, Ella Moriarty, Lexi Rohan, Cori Scagel, Sammie McKee, and Nikol Kmita. Each of these athletes has contributed uniquely to the heart and spirit of the team, helping to build a strong foundation for future players. All our seniors took the field to kick off the game for one last start as a Door.
Despite the 12-1 final score, Deerfield showcased their grit and progress made throughout the season. In the top of the first inning, with bases loaded and no outs, Maggie Garbarino ‘27 made a critical play at shortstop, catching a pop-up and smartly flipping the ball to third for a quick double play.
The outfield stayed hot all afternoon, with Haley Abraham patrolling center field and making several difficult over-the-head catches to save multiple potential runs. The team’s consistent practice of relay throws from the outfield to home was clearly paying off. Balls that might have cleared other fences were reeled in and held to doubles or triples, highlighting the defensive improvements DA has worked so hard on all season.
Offensively, Deerfield’s lone run came in the bottom of the second inning. Izzy Kirby ‘26 reached base on a hard-hit ball to third base, but advanced to second on an overthrow. With two outs, Garbarino stepped up and ripped a double to left field, driving in Kirby for the RBI.
While it wasn’t the win we were hoping for, the game was a celebration of the bond, resilience, and journey of this team. The seniors leave behind a legacy of leadership, sportsmanship, and fun, qualities that will continue to inspire the program for seasons to come. We will miss them dearly next year!
Reflecting back on the spring, it was so exciting to welcome so many new softballers to the softball family. Despite the ups and downs regarding injuries and unpredictable weather, this group brought energy and laughter to every moment. The final season record is incredibly deceiving, because it doesn’t encompass the tremendous amount of improvement every single person made over the last couple months. This season has been truly a blast, and we hope it inspires even more players to pick up a glove and join us next year!