They say it’s not the destination but the journey that makes a trip worthwhile, and nothing illustrates this better than the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens women’s softball team. On the field, there’s no denying that the Hens were routinely overshadowed by their opponents, but off of the field, the girls had as much fun as any team.

That’s not to say that the Hens didn’t have their moments on the grass. Captain Sharon Silveira ’01 gave opposing pitchers nightmares all season with her potent hitting, and Shannon "Morgan" Russell ’03 was about as intimidating in the pitching circle as a five-foot and little bit, hundred pounder could be.

Also, captain Jocelyne Burke ’02 and centerfielder Jaeda Dos Santos PI ’03 were both defensive standouts as well as threats at the plate.

In their most recent game (a 7-3 win over Whittier), Dos Santos had a home run and Silveira was three for four, which will definitely give Cal Lu something to think about before this weekend’s games.

In fact, in the three game series against Whittier, Silveira gave up four earned runs in 14 innings pitched, while Russell gave up 3 in 7.

The best part of the Hens is that it isn’t all about the dynamic pitching duo of Russell and Silveira or the bash sisters (Silveira, Megan Edourde ’04, and Dos Santos); the team is really about the stars that don’t shine quite so brightly on the field.

By her own admission, Melanie Phillips ’03 is still learning some of the intricacies of the game of softball, which has meant that she doesn’t get to see the field as much as some of the other girls. But, that doesn’t stop Phillips from coming to practice, day in and day out, and spending a few hours in the hot sun with her teammates, working to get better.

Other role players, such as Steph Lozano ’03 and Rosa Jiminez ’04, keep the teams spirits up while staying prepared to go in and help the team any way they can.

This past Friday, Lozano demonstrated her immeasurable patience by brushing off what was the greatest of insults.

The team’s scorekeeper (who is thinking about majoring in math, and drove the minivan that Lozano was riding to the game) left her off of the line up card because he couldn’t count up to 14.

When Coach Baker tried to insert Lozano in to the game, the umpire wouldn’t let her play, because according to the rules, she wasn’t even there. Instead of ripping the boy’s head off, Lozano accepted the apology, and moved on. Actually, she brushed it off and played extremely well when she got her chance in the Saturday games.

So, basically, these girls aren’t special because of their athletic prowess, they’re special because they have the perspective necessary to take this season for what it is. They understand that the game of softball is not about the wins and the losses, it’s not about the hits, and it’s not about the errors.

Instead, it’s about the fun stuff: the trips to the games, the bat-races at practice, the team brunches, and playing hard. Instead of being discouraged by the five win and a lot of losses record, the girls enjoy each win that much more.

The Pomona-Pitzer softball team finishes out its season this against Cal Lutheran on Saturday, April 28. Their last home game is today at 3pm.