REDWOOD CITY — Mills softball was group final 12 months.
The Vikings completed the season with a file of 14-7, shedding within the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Part Division IV event to Aragon. However this season, Mills has taken issues to a different degree.
So what’s made the distinction for the Vikings this 12 months?
“The camaraderie with the team,” Mills coach Michelle Beauchemin mentioned. “Most of the girls have been playing together since they were six. So when the freshmen came up, everyone was welcoming and already knew how they played, so they just molded back together from when they were playing rec ball and things like that.
Mills High School infielders high five each other before the start of the fourth inning at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
“It really helps too that we have some really good leaders on the team. So when someone’s feeling down or not feeling like they’re doing their best right now, everyone’s really good at encouraging each other and making sure that they fill up again.”
The Vikings’ cup is brimming in the intervening time. They appear to be a robust contender within the Peninsula Athletic League’s Ocean Division, the place they’ll do battle with Half Moon Bay, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia, Terra Nova and Notre Dame-Belmont.
Mills took its second lack of the younger season on Wednesday, falling 6-3 to Notre Dame-Belmont, the No. 7 squad within the BANG rankings. The highway forward received’t be simple, however the Vikings are higher ready for the gauntlet forward due to the rigor of their nonleague slate.
“We are being challenged more this year,” Beauchemin mentioned. “I made sure that we played a lot more A-league teams, teams that we wouldn’t see in our league, just so we can see that we have the ability to compete. That helps them stay motivated when they are successful against teams like that, and they realize, ‘Oh look, we can do things like this.’
Mills’ Bailey Beauchemin (9) tosses the ball to Mills’ Sofia Kwan (2) for an out at first against Sequoia High School in the fourth inning at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
“So it’s not a shocker when we go and play other teams and we get close or we beat them. The biggest challenge for them right now is keeping that momentum, because now they know all eyes are on them, and they feel this pressure. We coaches do too. We just want to come out here and play, but we know people are watching. So we want to make sure that the girls don’t forget to still have fun and not feel this pressure of, ‘We have to win.’”
Mills definitely had little hassle toppling Sequoia on Friday in Redwood Metropolis. The Vikings jumped all around the Ravens (3-6) with six runs within the prime of the primary inning, then added three extra within the second to push the result in 9-1.
Mills wasn’t threatened once more the remainder of the best way. Senior leadoff hitter Sofia Kwan was an offensive standout for the Vikings with three hits, two doubles and three runs batted in.
Mills’ Sofia Kwan (2) stands on second base throughout a recreation towards Sequoia Excessive College within the fifth inning at Sequoia Excessive College in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Freshman Jolie Wong added a two-run triple within the lineup’s No. 3 spot. Sophomore Lucy Esquivel, junior Audrey Jang and sophomore Alyssa Penas every chipped in two hits.
Senior Jada Crockett ripped a two-run double for Sequoia to plate the vast majority of the Ravens’ runs.
“Obviously, it didn’t go like we wanted it to go,” mentioned Sequoia coach Sha Crockett. “But I think the girls came out ready, came out to play. It’s a good team over there, but it’s a team we could compete with down the line. So I’m impressed. I’m happy.”
Mills’ Lucy Esquivel (12) dives into residence towards Sequoia’s Mariangel Perez (10) within the first inning at Sequoia Excessive College in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Mills’ Jazzy Maske (82) catches a fly ball towards Sequoia Excessive College within the fifth inning at Sequoia Excessive College in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Mills’ Kalia Woo (5) pitches towards Sequoia Excessive College within the second inning at Sequoia Excessive College in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Mills’ Kalia Woo (5) pitches towards Sequoia Excessive College at Sequoia Excessive College in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
