Clare Johnson ’23 waits in anticipation as she watches the ball flying towards her, ready to jump into action. Within a split second, Johnson crouches into position and catches the ball, prompting a roar of applause from the crowd.

Beginning at the age of five, Johnson has dedicated an exceptional amount of time honing her skills as a catcher. Although she has run into some setbacks along the way, Johnson’s passion towards the sport has driven her forward.

“I just really enjoy the team aspect of the game,” said Johnson. “Sometimes it gets hard, especially when you make a bad play, but you just have to let yourself learn from the mistake and improve the next time.”

Johnson’s first year at highschool got off to a rocky start after the season was canceled due to COVID-19. Even during this time of isolation, though, she was able to showcase her skills and impress the coach.

“We only had two weeks of practice in person before we had to quarantine,” said Head Coach Marissa Soprano, who also teaches Johnson in her social studies class. “From the beginning, it was apparent that she was talented and hard working. When the team went to remote workouts, she was always there and worked hard.”

This year, Johnson has stepped up and embraced the role of co-captain, working hard to create a supportive environment for the team.

“We really focused a lot on team bonding this year,” said Johnson. “Breakfast after Saturday morning practices and pasta dinners were a great way to hang out and bond as a team.”

Growing into the role of a leader, Johnson has learned to take the initiative and to step out of her shell in order to guide the team efficiently, with much confidence and dedication.

“Clare is an exceptional catcher and she only improved as she moved through high school,” said Soprano. “She grew more confident in her abilities behind the plate and more vocal about calling plays for her teammates. She served as an excellent leader for the underclassmen both last season and this season.”

Beyond organizing team building exercises, Johnson has made it a priority to boost team morale and encourage open communication among players. She has forged an incredible connection with her teammates while developing a cohesive dynamic among the team.

“Clare was an absolutely amazing leader and her knowledge of the game was also awesome,” said Simryn Patel ’26, one of Johnson’s teammates. “She was a powerful voice on and off the field, and she always knew where to go, even if the play didn’t have anything to do with her.”

Although this has been Johnson’s final year on the team, it has been a season full of remarkable achievements. Through their collective determination and hard work, the team has accomplished qualifying for the state tournament—one achievement that has not been reached in years prior.

“Clare made multiple tag plates at the plate to get runners out which was phenomenal,” said Soprano. “Clare also performed well in the state game, keeping us in it with her pitch calling. It was a great performance to end her high school career.”

As her high-school softball career comes to a close, Johnson is looking forward to leveling up her game in college, where she will continue to play club softball. For anyone looking to step up to the plate, Johnson has some words of encouragement.

“Practice makes perfect and one mistake doesn’t dictate how the rest of your game will go, so shake it off and learn from it for next time,” Johnson said.