Del Oro softball gives seniors a drive-by salute

On a day that was supposed to be the final home game for Del Oro softball, teammates, coaches and parents made sure that their four seniors didn't go unrecognized. Tuesday, which originally had the Lady Eagles slated to host Granite Bay in the final Sierra Foothill League game of the season, served as a day to honor seniors Rylie Clark, Katelyn Oldwin, Michalah Robison and Madison Urrutia. Several members of the Del Oro softball program teamed up to celebrate a different kind of Senior Day. "I actually cried," said Oldwin, who in Del Oro's last game on March 10 fired a no-hitter against Whitney. "I was surprised at how many people cared about us seniors and making our day so special." A small fleet of about 15 cars met and made four stops outside of each senior player's house from Roseville to Loomis to Penryn, causing a cheerful raucous with horns honking, balloons flying and signs honoring their teammates. "It meant a lot," said Robison, who was hitting .615 before the season ended. "It definitely lifted my mood. I've been a little down, not myself through this quarantine. I definitely felt the love from everyone. I really feel appreciated." At 4-0 Del Oro was one of 12 teams in the entire Sac-Joaquin Section that was unbeaten in at least four games when coronavirus concerns canceled the remainder of the 2020 season. With several returning players from last year's section runner-up roster, Del Oro felt it had a chance to do something special this season. Since the Lady Eagles never got that shot this year, Tuesday was a good reminder of what could have been. "Our senior year we were expecting an Optimist game, Senior Night, and expecting to go to sections, but we ended up getting that taken away," said Urrutia, a four-year varsity player for Del Oro. "For our teammates to take time out of their day and their quarantine to do that was really special." All four Del Oro seniors have plans to play at the next level. Oldwin will pitch for Chico State, Clark will play at Mt. Hood Community College in Oregon and Urrutia and Robison will both head to Concordia University in Irvine. At the final house of Tuesday's caravan, the entire team got together – with masks and social distancing practices – for one last team photo. "It was like bringing our family back together," said Clark, a three-year varsity player. "We're all like sisters. We've been going to school and playing together for years. It was cool with them showing that they actually care and that they love us."