By: Shalva Faber

While the day started off with rain, it ended with the Ma’ayanot Rapids as this year’s softball champions. This game gave the many fans that came to support their respective teams numerous heart palpitations, but that was only because of the excitement they had.

At 7:30 pm (sharp) the Rapids were already starting their stretches and warming up for the big game. To enhance the evening, the rapids brought music for some pregame warm up and ruach, and to play their favorite songs between each inning.

As the clock struck 8, Hatikva was played for all to hear, followed by the National Anthem sang by Whitney Houston (thanks to YouTube). It was at that point that the many fans were piling into the stands, cheering on their respective teams. There were Ma’ayanot alumnae ranging from each graduating class, as well as administration and faculty members. Entire families came out to support their daughters and sisters while they played, cheering them on the entire time. Even those that just came back from their gap year in Israel came to support their family members, as well as their past teammates. Thank you to all that came, you really enhanced the evening.

In the first inning Tamar Nissel (’19) and Tali Antosofsky (’16) made two of the outs in the field, and Adina Rosenberg (’16) scored the first run while the Rapids were at bat. With Ma’ayanot in the lead, the crowd went wild, and a 1-pound weight was lifted off of the team’s shoulders.

Tali Antosofsky was on a roll this game, making all three outs in the third inning, assisted by Tamar (’16) and Mia (’19) Nissel. In addition, Tali made two incredible outs in the fourth inning. It was because of her incredible game that Tali got one of the game balls; in addition to having the crowd (and team) go wild while cheering her name.

In the fifth inning Mia Nissel (’19) made an incredible double play. The first was a catch at short stop, and then she assisted Gabi Lerner (’16) for another play at first.

At bat, the Rapids were extraordinary during the fifth inning. Noa Appelbaum (’17) hit an inside the park home run, bringing home Sima Zand (’16) and Gabi Lerner . The crowd went wild. In total there were four runs scored in the fifth inning.

Frisch scored two runs in the sixth inning, but the Rapids held them there. Sima Zand got all three outs in the seventh inning, making the Ma’ayanot Rapids this years softball champions. As soon as Sima caught the last ball, the Rapids ran (and rolled) onto the field in excitement and happiness.

Do you know what this means, readers? This means that the Ma’ayanot Rapids are softball champions two years in a row (they beat SAR last year)! The winning team is made up of these extraordinary girls: Lilly Fuchs, Lauren Becker, Leah Markowitz, Tamar Leiser, Sol Emunah Richter, Jen Felder, Mia Nissel, Nili Raskas, Kate Weinberg, Sarah Berman, Adira Levine, Tali Antosofsky, Becca Malech, Danielle Pasternack, Adina Falk, Noa Applebaum, Gabi Lerner, Elisheva Katz, Sima Zand, Adina Rosenberg, and Tamar Nissel.

The game balls went to Noa Applebaum and Tali Antosofsky for their playing in the field and at bat. Following the traditional giving of the game ball, trophies were given out by grade. When Coaches Yoni Lieber and Kayla Levine got up to the seniors, it was a bitter-sweet moment because they were on the team for four years at the longest, gave it their all, and are now heading into the real world and into adult life.