After a tragedy, typically being there to help one another is all you are able to do. For the Livermore softball staff, that has been the objective since March 17.
On that day, Macy Perez, a beloved member of the Livermore athletic neighborhood who was an integral member of the Cowboys’ stunt and cheer groups, died on the age of 16 of an epileptic seizure.
Her dying profoundly affected many athletes at Livermore Excessive. Amongst these most straight impacted exterior of Perez’s teammates had been two fellow juniors, pitcher Kaci Norton and catcher Kymber Dao of the Livermore softball staff.
“She was the first person I met in high school,” Norton mentioned. “She came right up to me with a big smile and just introduced herself, and from there on, we bonded.”
Norton was removed from the one one Perez made an enduring first impression on. Dao recollects assembly a brand new group of buddies early throughout her time at Livermore, and Perez was on the middle of all of it.
“I met Macy at the very beginning of my freshman year of high school. She and my whole friend group were new to me,” Dao mentioned. “ She was such a bright little soul who was always fun to be around. Macy was like the perfect friend. There was never drama with her. She was always there for you, ready to make you laugh or run into your arms for a perfect Macy hug.”
Norton and Dao knew Perez greatest amongst Livermore’s softball gamers, however they shortly realized how many individuals she had touched within the days following her dying.
“Most of the people on the softball team knew and loved Macy,” Dao mentioned. “I never knew just how many people Macy touched until her passing. Macy knew everyone, and she didn’t just know them. She made it a point to get to know them and become friends with them.”
Livermore had a sport two days after her passing, a highway matchup in opposition to Newark Memorial on March 19. It was the primary of many contests the Cowboys would dedicate to Perez’s reminiscence.
Norton started hashtagging chosen posts on the social media platform X with #PlayForMacy, and your entire Livermore staff has taken up the trigger for his or her buddy.
A remembrance card for Macy Perez. (Courtesy of Perez household)
“They were always in and out of my house on a weekend basis,” Sarah Perez, Macy’s mom, mentioned of the softball gamers. “Macy would call me after school and say she was going to go watch the girls do softball, and then they would support her, because she was a cheerleader and she was in stunt. It was cute how all the female athletes were very supportive of each other despite the disciplines varying.”
The Cowboys’ gamers are sometimes seen with mild blue ribbons – Perez’s favourite coloration – of their hair or on their visors, signifying their remembrance of what Perez meant to them.
“We hope when people see the light blue color of Macy, they think of how she lived her life and how they can live like her,” Dao mentioned. “Macy was truly the best, and it is a blessing to have had her in my life. She was a perfect example of how to be a loving, kind and sweet human being.”
On March 17, Livermore’s file was 2-2. Since then, the Cowboys have gone 17-7, coming collectively as a bunch within the face of tragedy.
“We played for her and turned our season around,” Norton mentioned.
Sarah Perez mentioned her daughter suffered a sudden sudden dying in epilepsy (SUDEP), a uncommon circumstance the place somebody with epilepsy dies and not using a particular identified trigger comparable to drowning or damage.
“The awareness that it’s bringing to the actual disease itself is the bigger picture here,” she mentioned. “It’s bringing greater awareness to this disease that, unfortunately, a lot of people have, but I don’t think most people talk about it.”
Nothing can absolutely exchange the void within the gamers’ lives. However the Cowboys have dedicated to being there for one another as they navigate the lack of a buddy a lot prior to many individuals their age.
Typically, all they will do is reminisce.
“I will always remember how she lived, with love and kindness,” Dao mentioned. “I’ll miss her snigger, our bonding over our favourite motion pictures, and most of all, her hugs.
“Macy gave the absolute best hugs. She would run up to you at full speed and jump into your arms, bear hugging you with the tightest, most comforting squeeze. I would always spin us around a couple of times before letting her down. Sometimes now, I wish I had never let go. No one will ever be able to give hugs like Macy did.”
Livermore’s Gianna Willes (22) wears a ribbon in her hair as she takes a swing within the sixth inning of the North Coast Part Division I quarterfinals playoff sport at Livermore Excessive Faculty in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Could 23, 2025. Livermore defeated Alameda 6-4. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Perhaps not. However they will attempt, and that’s what Livermore has achieved day-to-day – attempt to make the very best of the problem forward.
“Every day is different in the grieving process, but we all know that we are here for each other whenever we need,” Dao mentioned.
On the sector, Livermore completed the common season with a 9-5 file within the East Bay Athletic League, qualifying for the EBAL playoffs because the No. 4 seed. The Cowboys upset high seed Carondelet 14-2 within the semifinals, then beat second-seeded California 7-4.
That end secured them the No. 2 seed within the North Coast Part Division I bracket. On Friday, they received their opening-round sport in opposition to No. 7 Alameda, finishing a dramatic two-out comeback from two runs down within the sixth inning to win 6-4.
Is it divine intervention? Perhaps. What’s undeniably true is that Perez modified the lives of Livermore’s gamers, and they’re carrying her reminiscence ahead each time they take the sector.
“It showed that her spirit was felt on that field,” Sarah Perez mentioned of the staff’s mild blue tribute.
Within the Cowboys’ first two video games after March 17, Norton threw back-to-back full video games, each Livermore wins, and acquired the sport ball every time. After throwing a shutout on March 19, she wrote “Play for Macy” on her treasured souvenir.
On April 4, after a 10-0 win over Freedom, Norton wrote on X, “Adversity is inevitable. How you handle it defines you.”
Livermore’s season is outlined by the Cowboys’ love for Perez. And that love goes to final past this yr, every time the ultimate pitch is thrown.
“I thought no one on the team, besides Kaci, would understand what we were going through,” Dao mentioned. “However to see and take heed to their tales of Macy opened my eyes. We bonded over Macy, and we celebrated her and the way she lived her life.
“Kaci and I play for Macy every game and every practice. I used to play softball because I loved the sport, and it grew into playing so that I can get recruited in college. But now, I have a true reason to play. Macy is the reason I play. I play for her so that I can continue her story.”
Livermore can have a minimum of yet one more alternative to honor Perez this season. After dropping Wednesday to No. 3 seed Casa Grande within the NCS Division I semifinals, the Cowboys will host Foothill in a third-place sport Saturday at midday for the part’s ultimate spot within the NorCal playoff bracket. And should you attend, you’re sure to see a bunch of blue ribbons out on the sector.
Livermore pitcher Kaci Norton (24) celebrates with teammate Sydney Aguilar (15) after defeating Alameda within the seventh inning of the North Coast Part Division I quarterfinals playoff sport at Livermore Excessive Faculty in Livermore, Calif., on Friday, Could 23, 2025. Livermore defeated Alameda 6-4. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
