Aly Kaneshiro Makes a Difference for Hart Softball

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Phil Vitek

Aly Kaneshiro rounds every base for the varsity softball team during her four years at Hart.

Senior catcher Aly Kaneshiro has been at the top of her game since her freshman year. Starting her first year at Hart, Kaneshiro was the only freshman on the varsity softball team during league play. 

“It was very scary but fun at the same time. I got to play with girls who are older and learned from them while still being able to contribute to the team’s success even though I was new to the high school game,” said Kaneshiro. 

She started her softball journey at age five, and progressively began to develop her love of the competitive team sport over time. Through the William S. Hart Baseball and Softball Complex, Kaneshiro joined her first tournament travel team at age eight, and by the time the catcher was 11, she was playing on a travel ball team, much more competitive than her past teams.

During her four years at Hart, Kaneshiro has created an impressive reputation for herself. Her freshman year, the team not only made it to the CIF Division 3 finals, but she was personally recognized for being such an accomplished athlete, as well. That year she made Second Team All League, was awarded Newcomer of the Year and made First Team All Santa Clarita. 

Kaneshiro was later awarded First Team All Santa Clarita during her sophomore and junior years, Second Team All League her sophomore year and First Team All League her junior year.

Aside from her personal successes, the catcher had enjoyed the bond between her team throughout the years.

“Every year the team gets along and knows how to have fun, which is really important when it comes to the success on the field as well. I’ve made a ton of memories with all of [my teammates] each year and continue to keep making more,” Kaneshiro said.

Approaching the end of her senior season, Kaneshiro will be continuing her love for the game as she plays on the Division 1 team at Stanford University. 

“I’m really looking forward to all the people I will meet at Stanford and the things I can accomplish both in the classroom and on the field. It’s a new chapter in my life with more freedom but more responsibility and I’m excited for it to begin,” Kaneshiro said. 

Her parents have been supportive of her softball career throughout her entire life as they went to every game and dedicated their time to helping her grow as an athlete. With two older brothers who have had similar successes in their sports, she has had these role models inspiring her, serving as a contribution to the accomplished athlete she is today. 

“For anyone who wants to be an accomplished athlete, always remember that not everything is going to go your way, you’re going to fail and that’s okay. But keep working hard and eventually it’ll all pay off in different ways, but always have fun,” Kaneshiro said.