Left wanting more — JV team wrap up season as only squad in league

The junior varsity softball team at Mariposa County High School wrapped up a successful season earlier this month.

The team finished out the season 8-7 as they defeated the El Capitan Gauchos from Merced on April 1 with a final score of 21-8.

“This was one of the hardest working teams that Tyson (Wellcome) and I have ever had the privilege to coach,” said coach Iris Wellcome.

“They wanted more drills, more practice and more games.”

After coaching the middle school Bears softball team the past few years, Iris and Tyson Wellcome took over the JV softball team at MCHS this season.

Players on the team this year included Annalee Blagg, Lorynn Visscher, Kaiya Wellcome, Dakota Costa, Aubree Robertson, Bella Martinez, Allie Appling, Catalina Lovan, Rylie Mitchell (captain), Geneva McGuire, Lily Habeck and Rio Pelote.

“We call them the ‘just one more’ team because they always wanted one more pitch, one more at bat, one more time with a drill or one more game,” Iris Wellcome said.

“It was truly at team that just loves softball.”

As there were no other JV softball teams within the Southern League this season, the Grizzlies were faced with a challenge they gladly accepted.

“We didn’t have a single team in our league therefore we had to play bigger schools from other leagues,” Wellcome explained.

“We showed up for those games and gave it our all.”

Freshman Kaiya Wellcome led the team in hits (21), batting average (0.447), slugging percentage (0.532) and doubles (4).

Robertson led the team in triples with four while Costa led the team in stolen bases with 18.

Mitchell led the group in RBI with three while Appling had two home runs this year.

“They built one another up and cheered each other on,” Iris Wellcome said.

“They had great attitudes, amazing work ethic and built comradery. I’m so proud of these girls and the growth they had this year.”