Prep spotlight: Cal, Stanford commits from Bay Area recall what it was like to attend record-breaking Big Swing game
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LOCAL SOFTBALL COMMITS ATTEND RECORD-BREAKING CAL-STANFORD GAME
One small step for Stanford and Cal set the stage for a giant leap in the history of college softball.
When the Cardinal and Bears stepped onto the diamond at Stanford Stadium last month, they made history, attracting the largest crowd ever to watch a college contest – 13,207 fans in attendance.
Among those in the crowd were multiple Bay Area high school softball players committed to both schools.
St. Francis senior Ava Bulanti signed with Stanford in April and was in attendance alongside most of her Lancers teammates, as well as future Cardinal teammates Sophia Jin, Izzy Cacatian and Jordana King. Jin attends San Ramon Valley.
“It was awesome to be at such a historic game and be a part of that crowd’s infectious energy,” Bulanti said. “Everyone there was excited to support college softball at the highest level, regardless of which college they were rooting for. I felt lucky to experience a small part of what my future softball career will look like, and I’m even more excited to make it a reality in the fall.”
Willow Glen junior Alanna Clincy cannot yet sign with the Bears, but she has been committed to Cal since September. She made sure to point out the result when noting how exciting it was to be in attendance.
“It was a great experience being a part of the NCAA softball attendance record-breaking game,” Clincy said. “Watching two competitive Bay Area softball teams play in the football stadium was incredible. Both teams battled, and it was exciting to see Cal win that game. I can’t wait to be a Bear.”
For the record, Cal won 10-8, homering on the game’s first pitch and relying on a five-run first inning to take control. Clincy cheered the Bears on alongside some of her Willow Glen teammates and other members of her Cal Nuggets club team.
Cal does not currently have any publicly announced Bay Area softball players committed or signed in the class of 2025.
Next season, Stanford will move into a new softball stadium, which is currently under construction. The Cardinal are playing this season at Stanford Stadium while the new softball facility is being finished.
The new stadium is estimated to have a capacity of 1,347 fixed seats, with additional room for lawn seating. The previous facility, Boyd & Jill Smith Family Stadium, maxed out at 3,500 spectators.
“You see a consistent theme that there aren’t big enough venues for women’s sports to be able to draw the fans that they can draw,” Stanford coach Jessica Allister said after the game. “Hopefully, a lot of people who showed up to Stanford for the first time to watch a softball game will come back and see us in our beautiful stadium.”
–Christian Babcock
NEW COACH TO LEAD ST. IGNATIUS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
St. Ignatius has hired Angelique Boccara to be its next girls basketball coach, the school announced on Thursday.
Boccara replaces former St. Ignatius coach Maya Fok, who led the Wildcats since 2020. Boccara, a St. Ignatius alum, was on Fok’s coaching staff since she was hired five years ago.
“I love coaching because I get to change lives,” Boccara said in a press release. “I get to build confident leaders, instill work ethic, and get young athletes to believe they can reach their full potential. I know how to build culture, I know how to win, and I know what it means to represent this school with pride, professionalism, and purpose!”
– Nathan Canilao
MOREAU TO CELEBRATE STATE TITLE WITH RING CEREMONY
The Moreau Catholic football team continues to commemorate its state football championship in style.
The Mariners won a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championship in December with a commanding 42-8 victory over Lindsay, claiming the Division 7-AA title and becoming the first team in Hayward’s history to bring home a state football crown.
To celebrate the milestone, Moreau will hold a ring ceremony on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Hayward City Hall Rotunda, recognizing the dedication and perseverance of the team, coaching staff and supporters who contributed to this unprecedented achievement.
–Christian Babcock
EBAL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS SET TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK
This week’s baseball games will mark the end of the regular season in the East Bay Athletic League.
The league playoffs are scheduled to start Tuesday.
The top two teams from the Valley and Mountain divisions advance. No matter what unfolds this weekend, the field is already set.
De La Salle, the Mountain’s top seed, will host Foothill. Granada earned the Valley’s No. 1 seed and will play host to San Ramon Valley.
If Granada wins, it will host the league title game on Thursday because it has a head-to-head win over De La Salle.
Last year’s league playoffs had six teams and consisted of three rounds. Granada defeated San Ramon Valley in the final.
– Nathan Canilao