Catcher Talia Kardon zeroes in on Abby Warren’s offering in Miramonte’s 7-4 win over Oakland in the first round of the NorCal Regional playoffs. Kardon’s bat, however, was the key in the Mats’ 3-2 win over Kennedy of Fremont that earned Miramonte its first-ever NCS softball championship, as her two-run single turned the game around.
There’s going to be a new banner in the Miramonte gym this fall.
After literally decades of struggle, the Miramonte softball team won the North Coast Section Division V championship with a thrilling 3-2 win over Kennedy of Fremont, and one of the rewards will be a permanent place on the wall of the gym.
The Mats continued their success by winning their first-round game in the NorCal Regional playoffs before losing to eventual champion Biggs in the semifinals.
Miramonte’s postseason run was fueled by a series of close wins, inspiring parent William Haynes to print up “Cardiac Mats” t-shirts and distribute green cowbells to add to crowd support.
“Something like this might not ever happen again,” said coach O.C. Schott, who melded together a core of players who travel to tournaments all summer with those who only pick up a bat and glove when Miramonte’s season rolls around.
“In the parent meeting, I said I felt we could go on a run,” said Schott. “If you can get to postseason, and you have solid pitching and catching, you have a chance.”
And that’s exactly how it played out.
Junior pitcher Abby Warren struck out 287 batters in 168 innings en route to a 2.84 earned run average, and sophomore catcher Talia Kardon not only handled Warren’s high velocity, was also a key part of the Matadors’ offense.
Shortstop Gianna Granzella, another sophomore, hit .527 on the season and freshman Lucy Daoust wasn’t far behind at .446.
Softball, however, is a team game, and the Mats received contributions up and down the roster, from travel ball veterans to relative newcomers. And even better, most of the key players will return next season, as eight juniors played key roles in 2025.
Another key to the season was Schott’s ambitious scheduling. “You have to play a tough schedule,” and the preseason was filled with top-quality opposition. “It helped us so much,” Schott said, especially during that magical postseason run.
To build on this year’s momentum, Schott would love to have a junior varsity team next year, and hopes this year’s success encourages other Miramonte athletes to give softball a try.
“It would be wonderful to bring in more players,” he said.
But Schott isn’t letting this year go quite yet.
“I’m beyond thrilled for the kids,” he said. “It’s something we’ll carry with us for a long time.”
