Breaking from the tradition of going to showcase their skills in Orange County, the Bishop Gorman varsity softball team traveled to Arizona from March 11-14 for its first-ever appearance at the Cool Nites Tournament.
After years of competing in California, the Gaels took on a new challenge, facing top programs from across the Southwest in an early-season test of their skill and resilience.
“This was our first time entering this tournament,” assistant coach Anita Manuma said. “We normally go to one in California, so a big part of preparation was mental—making sure the girls were ready for something new.”
Preparation began well before the team boarded the bus. Every coach emphasized discipline both mentally and physically, encouraging players to hydrate and fuel their bodies properly while sharpening fundamentals in practice. The team focused on routine offensive and defensive plays, keeping drills simple and repetitive to build muscle memory and consistency.
That preparation paid off. After four days of intense competition, Bishop Gorman finished with a strong 3-2-1 record, holding its own against some of the region’s toughest programs. Still, Coach Anita emphasized that the result is just one step in a much larger process. Rather than focusing on satisfaction, she views the tournament as part of the team’s ongoing development, noting that this group has strong potential and is continuing to grow together as the season unfolds.
Throughout the weekend, the Gaels showed flashes of what they are capable of. Among those standout moments was Makamae Eugenio ‘27, who delivered her best statistical game of the tournament against Maricopa High School. However, the Gaels’ biggest challenge came against Red Mountain, a team whose powerful hitting and precise pitching tested Bishop Gorman at every turn. “They were really hard to beat,” Eugenio said, reflecting on the matchup while recognizing the value of facing such strong competition.
Playing out of state offered a valuable opportunity to evaluate the team’s progress and see how they measure up against new opponents with different styles of play. This tournament also revealed areas for improvement, particularly in consistency and execution. Samantha Lefever ‘26 noted that while key plays contributed to the team’s success, the more challenging moments provided important lessons that will help them improve moving forward.
Looking ahead, the team plans to approach the rest of the season with a steady mindset—focusing on one game, one pitch, and one play at a time. With their first Arizona tournament now behind them, the Gaels return home more experienced, more connected, and ready to build on a promising start.
