The varsity softball team clinched the Transbay series title for the first time since 1994 after sweeping Skyline High School 2-0 on May 23.

After a dominating win over the Washington Eagles in the Academic Athletic Association championship game on May 18, the team used this momentum to sweep Skyline High School in the Transbay Series 2-0.

Both games ended early due to the mercy ruling. On May 23, the Cardinals swept Skyline 11-1, ending the game in the fifth inning. On May 19, they ended the game by the third inning, 15-0.

The Cardinals started off the second game on May 23 with poor hits at bat and defensive errors, allowing Skyline to get an early run in by the first inning. However, the Cardinals started to pick up their game with several RBI's from senior first-baseman Chloe Roddy and strikeouts by junior pitcher Michelle Willis. According to Willis, the Cardinals had slowly improved their hitting and made great defensive plays. "The little things really started to add up and helped our momentum," Willis said. "When our momentum is high, sometimes we go on long runs and at that point, there is no stopping us."

In the first Transbay Series game on May 19, although Willis's sore arm caused her to retire by the end of the second inning, sophomore pitcher Majenta Strongheart stepped in as a replacement to help clinch the game in the third. According to junior catcher Madison Donahue-Wolfe, the team spirit really kept the Cardinals focused throughout the game. "Our bench was really loud, which helped pump everyone up," Donahue-Wolfe said. "Everyone was being just as involved as they had been in yesterday's championship game."

MVP

The Lowell has named senior captains first-baseman Chloe Roddy and shortstop Katie Tam as the Most Valuable Players of the 2011 Lowell varsity softball team. Ever since her freshman year, Roddy has always been consistent with her game, from hitting balls out of the park for a home run to simple yet effective RBI's and base hits. It comes to no surprise that she was chosen for the prestigious AAA All-League First Team since her sophomore year. "Chloe is always an exciting player to watch because you never know what she's going to do or how far she will send the ball." Tam said.

But alongside Roddy, Tam never fails to make great defensive plays. "Not only does Katie provide leadership and help teach our defenders techniques, but also she helps the bench get into the game and cheer us on," Willis said.