Sunday, May 15 was an eventful day for the Ma’ayanot softball team. At 12 p.m. Ma’ayanot played against Frisch, and followed that up with a game against SAR at 8 p.m. Before Ma’ayanot games start, it is customary to have one of the team seniors lead the players in some pre-game pump up. We call this, the “I believe.” Gabi Lerner ’16 led the team in the cheer, which helped ready the players for the game, along with their Easton blue bat.

In the first inning bases were loaded when Sima Zand ’16, the birthday girl (cue the music), was hit by a pitch, bringing home Adina Rosenberg ’16. Up next was Tali Antosofsky ’18 who hit a two-run double, bringing home Elisheva Katz ’16 and Noa Applebaum ’17. Sarah Berman ’18, our prized catcher, brought in two more runs with an incredible triple. She came home when Danielle Pasternack ’17 singled her in. The first inning put the Rapids in an incredible position, leading with 6 runs.

While Frisch did get three runs in the first inning, Ma’ayanot was able to hold them in that position for the rest of the game. Tali Antosofsky and Elisheva Katz made incredible plays in the field, and Noa pitched an excellent game.

This was an incredible start to the doubleheader, with a much needed few hour break between each game. It was now time to go up against SAR, an undefeated team.

While not much happened in the first couple of innings, Mia Nissel ’19 and Elisheva Katz made excellent plays in the field. In the second inning Noa made a stupendous catch.

Because we can’t get enough of our amazing catcher Sarah, go figure that she would make an incredible catch at home.

With the help of our astonishing trifecta of captains—Elisheva Katz, Sima Zand and Noa Applebaum—the Rapids devised a master plan. While the plan is kept as secret as the Coca-Cola recipe, I can say that one lesson learned was to wait for the perfect pitch.

The game then came to a close, leaving SAR with their first loss of the season, and Ma’ayanot winning 3-2. This is the second time Ma’ayanot has beaten the undefeated Sting, as just last year the Rapids toppled them in the championships.

While there were snow-like conditions the entire day, it was wonderful to have so many family members and friends come out to cheer on the Rapids. Some came to celebrate Sima’s birthday, complete with balloons and cake.

Lesson learned. You can’t Sting a Rapid.

By Shalva Faber ‘18