May 4 the four senior softball Lady Cats were honored before a double header at Ellis Field.

The senior roster consisted of center fielder Cali Coups, catcher Abby Hojdila, pitcher Jaedyn Brown, and shortstop Rhiannon Rabassi.

Each senior was escorted out by their families and given a bouquet of flowers. The opposing team’s seniors (Ambridge) also were given roses.

This year’s seniors were a special group of girls being that for the first time in Beaver Area softball history, every senior is committed to play at the collegiate level. All four girls are also four-year letter winners and scholar-athlete award recipients.

The Lady Cats went on to win 11-1 against Ambridge and 12-6 over Western Beaver.

The Hojdila said, “It’s been a long four years, but I’m proud of us for making it here.”

Unfortunately, the season didn’t end the way the Cats wanted with a loss in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs to Derry Area, but despite the heartbreaking loss, plenty was accomplished in four years for the four seniors.

Though their careers with Beaver Area have come to an end, all four girls will continue their softball careers with Coups at Laroche College, Hojdila at Bethany College, Brown at Edinboro University, and Rabassi at Dickinson College.

To extend the celebration, the annual end-of-year banquet was held at Seven Oaks Country Club to close out a good year for the Lady Bobcats. The four seniors earned their fourth year letters and athletic awards, along with giving their senior speeches to the team in which each girl ended her speech with the team motto, “Roll Cats.”

Be sure to check next year’s first BASD ECHO in September for more sports coverage.