One Clutch Performer

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

When Stella Honda steps on the softball field she has one objective: do whatever it takes to help her team win. She has been doing that for four years on the varsity team at Palisades High and now that she is a senior she is relishing her responsibilities as captain—a role that is desperately needed for a squad that lost eight players to graduation.

“Being captain has made me a better person,” said Honda, who was co-captain last year too and now shares the assignment with fellow senior Briana Vasquez. “There’s a lot of pressure on us, but my job as captain is to encourage. [Sophomore] Sophia Perez will ask me where to go. The advice is more strategic than mental.”

As the starting shortstop, Honda handles the most demanding position on the diamond with veteran poise and likes being in the middle of the action. At bat she is one tough out. Through six games she is pacing the Dolphins with nine hits, seven runs and a .529 average.

She has stolen three bases and has not been struck out.

“There’s a reason she’s captain,” coach Manny Flores said. “You want her up when the game’s on the line.”

Honda also played volleyball growing up but soon found softball more to her liking. She wants to study neuroscience in college She played travel ball for four years, most recently with the SoCal Choppers, and is a certified junior umpire with USA Softball.

Honda’s versatility was on full display in Monday’s Western League opener at LACES when she stepped in to pitch for Vasquez, who had worked every inning of every game prior. Honda allowed two hits and struck out nine Unicorns and on offense she had a double, two RBIs, three walks and four runs in a 24-3 win.

“Bri’s pretty much our only pitcher, so if I can give her rest her and there, I’m happy to do that,” she said. “I like fielding most. I love diving and getting dirty.”

Honda is not only a leader on the field, but off it. On a campus where field space is severely limited, she grew frustrated that softball was not receiving the same opportunities and resources as the baseball program.

“We’re making progress, but I’m hoping more changes will take effect after I’m gone,” she said. “We got to practice on the baseball field a few times at the beginning of the season, but only in right field.”