Editor’s note: The Bronx Sports Report appears weekly on Breaking Bronx, usually on Thursdays. Today, we have this story on the Walton softball team’s move up in divisions, which was originally published in the May 3-16 print edition of the Norwood News. The slideshow above, by Adi Talwar, is from Walton’s 14-13 loss to HS of Info and Network Technology.  Later on today Monday, we’ll have a Bronx Sports Report news roundup, which will, of course, include the sad news about iconic Yankees closer Mariano Rivera ripping up his knee while shagging fly balls yesterday.

The Walton High School Campus girls softball team dominated its B Division opponents last year. This year, after a jump up to the A Division, the Wildcats are working overtime to keep up with the higher level of competition.

“We asked to be moved up, no one offered it,” said Coach Tom Hall “When you play in the A Division you get more opportunities to play better teams, and that’s what the girls need.”

Back in 2004-2005, Walton was under a different coach and was known as one of the best teams in city playing in the top division. When the coach left, the team struggled and was moved down to B Division.

But, under Hall’s guidance, the team made the playoffs the past two years in a row and this year the team is back in A Division, playing against extreme competition. In its first year back in A ball, Walton has had mixed results. After a tough 14-13 loss to High School for Information and Network Technology, the Wildcats sat in fourth place in the Bronx A Division going into a showdown with Clinton on Wednesday. (Update: Clinton beat Walton 16-11 on Thursday afternoon after Wednesday’s match was rained out.)

To prepare for the stretch run of the season, the Wildcats spent spring break honing their skills against the Maroons, from Auburn High School near Syracuse. Public School Athletic League softball supervisor, Sylvia Makresia, was contacted by the Auburn team who wanted to play a team in the city. Since the Wildcats have their own field, they gladly accepted the offer. Though the game was considered a scrimmage, the Wildcats used the game to measure itself against the state toughest competition. Auburn came into the game undefeated in its own league.

Makresia said it was to watch the girls play against such a disciplined team. “This is what softball in New York City should look like,” said Makresia. “The girls have to be pushed.”

At the game, parents from the Auburn team were energized, showing team spirit and expressed how glad they were to be in the city on such a beautiful day.

In an ironic twist, Hall was born and raised in upstate Utica, while Auburn’s coach Bob Lee was raised in Brooklyn.
Hall and fellow Coach Jimmy McCormack said that the girls were eager to play an unfamiliar team.

“We’re trying to build a solid program,” Hall said. “When you play the best, the girls really learn a lot”.

Despite the fact that the Wildcats lost, 14-4, the girls showed their dedication by putting in maximum effort during each inning. The Wildcats stayed positive despite the deficit, shouting chants in Spanish throughout the game and supporting each other. They huddled up during breaks and hustled on offense and defense.

At the end of the game, both teams vigorously slapped hands with another and coaches Hall and McCormack ran to the girls to give them words of wisdom and told them they planned to take them out to eat after the game .

Claritza Caceres, the star senior for the Wildcats, was thankful for competition. “When you play with a tough team, all you can think is to do better.”

During next year’s spring break, Hall said the team hopes to travel to Florida as well as Auburn to play the Maroons in their home territory.