Braintree shows love to sister softball players who lost their mother to cancer
BRAINTREE – Over the course of 12 hours, a canceled regular-season game evolved into a what will likely be a yearly tradition for the Braintree High softball team, as well as a fundraiser for cancer research.
On Friday, Braintree coach Katie Jenkins wasn't going put her lineup card to its typical use against South Shore competition like she planned. Instead, she scrambled to facilitate the "Hope at Bat" alumni game with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. The cause sparked to honor two of her players.
Freshman sisters Catherine and Jaclyn McPhee lost their mother, Jean, to multiple myeloma cancer in April, just a few days before the softball team's season-opener. She was 62 years old.
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Dedicated to her, and other loved ones who have lost their fight with cancer, the softball team made a 'Wall of Hope' by pinning ribbons with their names to the backstop. Despite the short notice, the Braintree community came in waves to show love to two of its own.
“I just want to thank everyone for coming to support us, it means a lot to our family,” said Catherine McPhee who plays both second base and shortstop.
“It meant a lot to see all my family and everyone who has played softball," added Jaclyn McPhee, a starting outfielder.
On Friday, the past and present renditions of Braintree shared the diamond. Jenkins, formerly a catcher and first baseman for the Wamps during her high school career, pitched to her players and shared lots of laughs as they rounded the bases.
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“I honestly didn’t know what the turnout was going to be, but it’s a lot more than I expected – especially because when we didn’t end up playing our opponent, people still came out for it," junior co-captain Ella Woods said. "It was really nice to see the support for (the McPhee) family.”
As freshmen, the McPhee sisters haven't been on the varsity scene for long, but, nonetheless, they've certainly made their presences felt.
“They’re a big impact on our team. We didn’t even know it coming into tryouts, but they’re two of the better ones on the team," sophomore pitcher and co-captain Gabby Diaute said. "They’re doing really good this year and we’re glad we’re here to support them every day.”
“They’re only freshmen, but they have made such an impact already," Jenkins agreed. "They’re such great teammates, they’re so talented and they have such a bright future ahead of them. They have so much respect from the girls because they care, they’re so kind and they give it their all. They work so hard.”
The McPhee family was in attendance Friday night. Catherine and Jaclyn's father, James, said the sisters have been involved with the softball community through youth leagues and the family has felt the community's care all throughout the difficult time.
“It’s been pretty special the past month and a half with so many people rallying around us," he said. "It’s one more example of just how the community is supporting us. It’s been great. Coach Jenkins and all the (high school’s) teams have been super supportive.”
“Braintree is an amazing community because they come together to support their own,” Jenkins added.
So, is next year's game already in the works?
"Yeah, this was great. I'd love to keep doing alumni games," Jenkins said.
She added, “It was so special because the town came out, alumni came out, there were players here from before my time, teammates of mine and a handful of girls that I coached. It was just so nice to see them come together and support the athletes who are playing for their school now.”
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Braintree High alumni game supported McPhee sisters
