The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball team will honor their senior players at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park field. Following will be a non-conference game against Division II Southeast Conference foe Sitka at 4 p.m. (JV 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.). They also play at 7 p.m. Friday (JV 3 and 5 p.m.).
As of Wednesday, JDHS leads the Division I Railbelt Conference with a 7-1 record, 16-13-1 overall. Colony is second at 7-1 (28-8-1), West Valley 2-4 (6-6), Lathrop 1-5 (8-9) and Wasilla 1-7 (11-18-1). The RBC tournament is May 30-31 in Fairbanks, and the top two teams will advance to state June 5-7 in Anchorage along with the top four teams from Anchorage’s Cook Inlet Conference tournament. Sitka leads the DII SEC at 2-1 (14-12-4) with Ketchikan at 1-2 (13-14-2). They will have no conference tournament this season — just a regular season-ending series at Ketchikan and both advance to the DII state tournament in Anchorage with the better record earning a higher seed.
Following are brief interviews with the JDHS softball seniors:
TATUM BILLINGS – #27, third base and shortstop.
What makes softball special?: What makes this sport so special to me is that it’s a place where I know I can be myself without feeling judged. It is also a place where at the end of a long, stressful day, I can unwind and let go. The sport is where I find myself feeling fully calm and stress free. This sport is what I look forward to every morning, knowing I can finally let go and feel the weight lift off my shoulders.
Favorites: food – taco soup; song/music – “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson; book – “Enemies” by Tijan Meyer; movie – “Flipped”; player/team – I would have to say my favorite team I’ve ever played with is the one I won state with, my sophomore year team, 2023 season; school class: AK History with Mrs. Lloyd; hobbies/pastimes – I also play volleyball, I am ASB senior spirit representative and president of Crimson Club.
After high school: I plan on going to Bellevue College in Bellevue, Washington, to study nuclear medicine technology to become a nuclear medicine technologist. The reason I picked this major is because I really want to help people, and with this major, I am helping to cure different diseases, help people fighting cancer and so much more.
Advice to young players/students: Always try your hardest, especially when the coaches aren’t watching, and after every mistake or strike out, I recommend five to 10 seconds right after to think about how you can change what you may have done wrong and then move on to the next play, because dwelling on the one mistake can cause you to make more!
Thank yous: I want to thank, of course, all my coaches, Coach Razor, Chuck, Coach Nicole A., Coach Nikki, Coach Mona and Coach Sharla. I would also like to thank my dad for always pushing me to be the best I can be, and even when being my coach, never giving me special treatment, always treating me equally to the rest. And lastly, for always believing in me.
Coaches comments: I first met Tatum when she was 11 years old and playing all-stars for the GCLL Majors team at Western Regionals in San Bernardino. At that young age, Tatum had already developed a love for softball and her teammates. While a lot has changed in the past seven years, her love for the game and her Crimson Bear teammates has not. As a junior, Tatum was not able to play because of a foot injury, which left a hole at third base. As a senior we were glad to have her back on the field in uniform ready to lead the team. Tatum has always found a way to bring energy to the team and dugout. While at times we may have had to ask her to calm down, her intentions and want for the team to be pumped have always been in the right spot. As a senior she was the natural choice to lead our team cheer before games. It feels like she was born for that role. After this season she will definitely be missed, but she has made a lasting impact on younger players and coaches with her smile, crazy antics, and drive to make the team better. We wish Tatum all the happiness and success after high school!
TAIYA BENTZ – #22, First base
What makes softball so special?: I love being part of a team and knowing they all have my back as I do theirs, on and off the field. Our team has grown up playing with each other, so I love seeing each person grow and improve as we age. I’ve played softball since before I can remember, but my earliest memory of playing is when I still lived in Haines and would play T-ball on our gravel and rock field.
Favorites: food – any Thai food; song/music – “Wildflowers” by Ethan Regan; bhe Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas; movie – “Mamma Mia!”; player/team – I don’t have a favorite team, but my favorite sport to watch is baseball; school class – geometry with Mr. Anderson; hobbies/pastimes – fly fishing, playing with my dog, and spending time with friends.
About Juneau: I love the community that Juneau has, we all come together when it’s needed to support this beautiful place we get to live in.
After high school: I will be going to Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida, to pursue an education in dental studies. Although I love Juneau, I’m excited for the big change in scenery and to enjoy many new experiences.
Advice to young players/students: Take it all in and enjoy each moment. Although softball season can feel like a lot at times, it’s some of my best memories, and I wish I were more focused on being in the moment.
Thank yous: Thank you to all my coaches throughout my entire softball career. Thank you to my family for always being my biggest supporters. Thank you to my friends and teammates for being the people I look forward to seeing daily.
Coaches Comments: Taiya began her high school softball career as a freshman that attended the majority of open gyms and preseason workouts. She was excited to learn and improve her pitching and hitting. Throughout her high school career, she has always been one of our most positive and happy players. After her sophomore year, she had knee surgery and was hopeful to play as a junior. Unfortunately, she injured the knee again in some of our first games and was not able to play. As a senior, we weren’t sure what she would be able to do. We knew she could no longer pitch, but we worried she would be limited on her movements and running. We are glad to see that our worries have not materialized and limited Taiya’s game. As a senior, she has been a solid first baseman and leader for her team. She is not always the loudest person on the team, but when she speaks, people listen. I have been extremely impressed with her leadership skills over the past month and proud of the tough conversations she has had with teammates and coaches. I know that Taiya will find success in everything she does. Her positive attitude and willingness to do hard things (and have hard conversations) will take her far in life! We wish her all the luck as she moves to Panama City Beach for school.
BRYANNA EAKES – #5, center field.
What makes softball special?: Softball is special to me because it teaches me life lessons such as how to create new relationships, how to accept feedback whether it be positive or negative, and it gives me something to look forward to each day. I started playing T-ball when I was five and I was not a fan. Later I started softball in sixth grade so I was probably 12 and my earliest memory was making friends so fast and always being the designated team braider.
Favorites: food – any type of pasta, Alfredo is my top pick; song/music – My favorite genre is country, “Just Gettin’ Started” by Jason Aldean is probably my favorite song; book – “Do Not Pass Go” by Kirkpatrick Hill; Movie – “The Notebook;” player/team – Georgia Bulldogs football; school class – human anatomy; hobbies/pastimes – I enjoy tanning and being out on the boat or jet ski.
About Juneau: My favorite part about growing up in Juneau is the scenery.
After high school: I plan to take a gap year and work, then move down south closer to family and go to cosmetology school because I have always been interested in doing hair. If I can build people’s confidence in anyway, that is my goal.
Advice to young players/students: Embrace every moment, make new friends and be grateful for the feedback and dedication coaches put into you throughout the years.
Coaches comments: As a senior, Bryanna wasn’t sure if she was going to continue to play softball. She had played her entire high school career for Thunder Mountain and was unsure if she wanted to play as a Crimson Bear. After coming to some open gyms and meeting with coaches, she decided she wanted to give it a try and we are glad she did! Over the past several months I have gotten to know Bryanna and she has impressed me from the beginning. As a high school-aged student, she has a ton of responsibilities and finds a way to get them done. While she may have been nervous to play for a new team and new coaches, she has figured it out and is doing amazing. Her confidence this season has grown immensely and she has become a great leader for our team. I have two wishes for Bryanna. The first is purely selfish: I wish I would have had the opportunity to coach Bry for longer! Her smile is infectious and her desire to improve and be the best she can be is contagious. My second wish for Bry is that she finds happiness in everything she does! She is not afraid of hard work, so I know success is coming her way. We wish you nothing but the best and are honored to have coached you for your final high school season.
ELLA SCHMIDT – #26, left field, right field, and pitcher.
What makes softball special?: Softball is a really special sport for me because of the combined efforts and unlimited support and cheering between the other players and the crowd watching. The first time I played softball was when I was 7 years old playing for GCLL on a team called “Shock.”
Favorites: food – pho; music – Christian pop/R&B; book – the Bible; movies – “I Still Believe” and “Miracles from Heaven”; player – Would have to be my whole team; classes – music history and attendance and office aide; hobbies/pastimes – I love to sing and go driving out the road to watch sunsets.
About Juneau: I love the wild life, local downtown shops and all the beautiful views Juneau has to offer.
After high school: My plans are to attend UAS part time to prepare my career as a dental hygienist. I will also be working at Shoefly Alaska!
Advice to young players/students: My advice to younger players and students is to always work hard and stay passionate about everything you strive to do well at, even when it gets hard. Also strive to be kind to everyone no matter the circumstances.
Thank yous: I’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me throughout my high school softball career and I strive to continue the support I’ve received from others through my own personal experiences.
Coaches comments: Over the past four years, Ella has played JV and varsity for the Crimson Bears. When she began coming to open gyms as a freshman, we knew she was fast and quickly decided to turn her into a slapper. She also decided after her freshman year that she wanted to be a pitcher. Learning to slap and pitch during high school is not an easy task, but she found a way to be successful at it. Ella has grown as a player and person over these past four years. She has literally found her voice and is not afraid to use it! Ella has a bright future ahead of her because she is willing to put in the work to accomplish her goals and dreams while always smiling and helping others around her. We wish Ella the best in everything she decides to do. We will miss Ella and she will be hard to replace. Especially that beautiful voice and willingness to sing the national anthem on short notice.
JADELA SAETERN – Manager
What makes softball special?: The friendships, memories and laughter that have been made throughout the season.
When did you first play: sophomore year of high school.
Favorites: food – ANYTHING…I eat anything and everything; song/music – anything but country; book – horror or thriller; movie – horror movies; player/team – Honestly I have too many favorites, I can’t pick; school class – forensics science; pastimes/hobbies – reading.
About Juneau: I just moved from Wasilla eight months ago, but so far I like how much warmer it is here compared to Wasilla.
After high school: After high school I plan on attending the University of Alaska Anchorage to major in criminology and criminal justice.
Advice to young players/students: Have heart and never give up on yourself.
Thank yous: I would like to thank my friends and family for supporting me throughout the seasons even after my injury.
Coaches comments: JJ came to us during her senior year. She moved to Juneau from Wasilla and began coming to our open gyms on a regular basis. She was coming off a serious injury and we were excited to have her join our team. After a week of practice, we all realized that her foot had not healed completely and she would not be able to play. We were bummed that she was going to miss out because she had become part of our team and we were going to miss her. Luckily, she wanted to stay on as a manager. JJ is one of the three managers we have this season. While we have not had managers before, we will never go again without them. JJ is always at practice and willing to help with anything we need. From hanging banners to organizing gear to assisting in drills; JJ is always helpful with a positive attitude. Even though we have only known JJ for a short time, she is still a Crimson Bear and we will miss her next year as she returns to Anchorage to go to college. We wish her all the best and know that she will find success in anything she strives for.
KAYLA PETER – #18, catcher.
What makes softball special?: I think what makes this sport special is the strong mindset you must have. It can help teach you life lessons. I first started playing my freshman year of high school. The earliest memory I have is coach asking me if I want to become a catcher because I came to every preseason batting practice. I had no idea, but I loved the idea of becoming one.
Favorites: food – My favorite food is spicy chips, either Talkis, Dinamitas, or the Tim’s jalapeño potato chips; song/music – “Love” by Kendrick Lamar and Zachari; book – “None Of This Is True” by Lisa Jewel; movie – “Ms. Congeniality”; player/team – Oklahoma softball team; school class – psychology with Mr. Anderson; hobbies/pastimes – I used to bake when I was was in elementary school (it was my dream to become a baker).
About Juneau: Not just Juneau, but maybe another beautiful place in Alaska.
After high school: I plan on going to Fort Lewis College to major in psychology. I want to become a mental health therapist for teens. I want to become a therapist because I have had many mentors, counselors, coaches and teachers help me to become who I am today and I want to help be there for someone.
Advice for young players/students: It is OK to not have your good days with your sport, but don’t let those discourage you. Use them as a way to get better, a learning experience.
Thank yous: I want to thank my coaches for believing in me throughout my journey of softball and personal life, but a huge thank you to my mom for always pushing me to be my best. Not just at softball, but in life as well. I also would like to thank the people who have mentored me along the way: Erin Seagren, Hannah Alderfer and Catherine Cavender.
Coaches comments: As a freshman, Kayla decided to give softball a try. Quickly after that, you could see that Kayla had caught the softball bug and she loved the game. During her four years, Kayla has grown so much as a player and young woman. Kayla has played a key role in our program over the past three years as a catcher. She has helped all of our pitchers routinely by coming to open gyms on a regular basis and catching for them. Without Kayla’s presence, our pitchers would not have had the opportunity to improve. We will miss Kayla and everything she has done for our program. Her work ethic and drive to improve will take her far after high school, and we look forward to seeing everything she accomplishes after graduation.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@juneauempire.com.
