Down by eight runs on Monday, May 4, Stuyvesant’s varsity softball team, the Chipmunks, made an enormous comeback. They scored fourteen runs in the top of the fourth inning, and went on to defeat Adlai Stevenson 24-15. Stevenson was 7-1 at the time and ranked ninth in the city. The Chipmunks’ victory, in the pouring rain, proved to be one of their most important wins. Despite having a 7-4 record going into the game, physical education teacher and coach Vincent Miller said that “the game was huge; it was a big turning point in our season.”

The three junior co-captains—pitcher, Alex Albright, shortstop Marlee Melendy, and first baseman Kelly Quinn agree with their coach’s analysis. “[The Adlai Stevenson game] showed how we are a comeback team, and it changed the dynamic,” Albright said.

With impressive victories such as the Stevenson game, the Chipmunks, led by freshman starting pitcher Morgan Higgins (6-3 4.43 ERA), and Albright (5-2 4.31 ERA), finished off the regular season at 12-6. This secured the Chipmunks second place in the Manhattan A division, and the 18th seed in the playoffs.

Making the playoffs is a huge step forward for the team after last season’s 6-10 finish. New members, like Higgins and freshman Ana Slade—batting .396—have made this possible. “We’ve improved over the last two years tremendously, and we improve each time we take the field,” Miller said.

Sophomore and center fielder Carolyn Lehman also attributes much of this season’s success to the team’s newfound camaraderie. “This year we actually work together, and try to fix our mistakes, unlike last year where we just got frustrated and gave up,” Lehman said.

Despite clinching their first playoff berth since 2006, Miller knows there are still things to improve upon for the first round. “Defense wins games,” Miller said. “We can put up ten runs but if we give up eleven it doesn’t matter. I’d much rather win a game 1-0 than 12-11.” Offense has not really been a problem for the Chipmunks, as they have scored 65 runs in their last five games. However, the Chipmunks can improve their defense, as many of the runs given up by Stuyvesant pitchers were unearned.

Lehman agreed. “We need to be smart on the field and know what to do with the ball when it comes to us,” she said.

Making the playoffs is a first for both Miller and his captains. “We are really excited because it is the first time any of us have made the playoffs,” Albright said. With eight players hitting over .300, the Chipmunks are consistently on base, and have scored 182 runs in 16 games this season.

Unfortunately for the Chipmunks though, this explosive offense could not give them the push they needed to make it past the first round of the playoffs. They lost 10-5 to the 15th seeded CSIHS/Mcown on Thursday March 28, 2009. Albright pitched six innings, giving up seven earned runs on ten hits. The Chipmunks, however, could not convert on offense, and scored five runs on six hits. Melendy had two of the team’s hits.

Although the Chipmunks could not make it past the first round, they have many lessons to take from this season. Their unexpected victories against top teams and consistent offense throughout the season can only be improved next year. With eight of nine starters returning, the Chipmunks will be more experienced, and well equipped for another playoff-bound season.