Alameda's special softball season ends with loss in NorCal D-II final

ALAMEDA – The day after graduating from Alameda High and a few minutes following her Hornets' 5-0 loss to Del Oro-Loomis in the NorCal Division II softball title game, Leaira Robinson stood on the edge of the infield dirt and took a moment to think before she summed up the team's magical season.

The program's lone senior, whose miraculous game-winning touchdown catch clinched the North Coast Section flag football title for Alameda as a junior in 2024, couldn't close out her high school career with one more trophy celebration.

But it did not detract from her experience at the East Bay school.

"This year has been so special, and I'm very lucky to be a part of it," Robinson told the Bay Area News Group. "I'm very grateful we made it this far, and I'm excited to see where they go without me next year."

Youthful Alameda was unable to get on the board against a Del Oro team that was missing several key players who had decided to begin their travel ball season over playing for a regional title.

Freshman catcher Molly Cho and third baseman Miley Gradney each had a hit for the Hornets, who were appearing in their first-ever NorCal final, while Desiree Shoblo and Reyn Llewellyn-Mackay each drew walks.

In the fifth inning, Sadie Ramirez appeared to be safe after sliding into home following an error in the field by Del Oro, but the umpire called her out to end the inning.

Julia Lambert struck out five in a complete game for the Hornets.

Del Oro scored three runs in the second inning and twice in the sixth, outhitting Alameda eight to two.

Freshman pitcher Katharine Popovski struck out six and walked just two in a complete game for Del Oro. In the second inning, Popovski drove in one Del Oro run and Chloe Champas knocked in two more. Popovski and Avyn Brower each drove in one run apiece in the sixth.

Thus ended what was otherwise a phenomenal season for the East Bay public school.

The Hornets captured a share of the West Alameda County Conference Foothill Division title, and then reached the semifinals of the NCS Division I playoffs.

Having been granted the No. 1 seed and a bye in NorCal play, Alameda beat Hollister 7-3 in the semifinals. It was a game highlighted by Robinson's run-saving catch in center field.

That victory earned them a matchup with a Del Oro team that had proven it could slay Bay Area powerhouses.

The Golden Eagles had run-ruled NCS D-II champion Northgate in the first round of NorCals, and then shut out powerful Willow Glen 6-0 in the semifinals. They finished NorCal having outscored opponents 21-0.

Holding the runners-up trophy in her left arm, Alameda coach Meida Tautalatasi was already looking toward next season a few minutes after the trophy ceremony ended.

The Hornets (24-6) are expected to bring back every player except for the graduating Robinson, and should once again be among the section's best teams again next year.

"I'm so excited, and they are also so excited, for next year," Tautalatasi said.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 2:49 PM.