Since they first entered elementary school, Catherine and Jaclyn McPhee had played softball together.
As seniors at Braintree High School, though, the twins went their separate ways in the spring season. Catherine opted to run spring track and Jaclyn stayed with softball, a captain and the only senior for the Wamps this season.
“It was kind of a shock that she didn’t play because I always just imagined us playing through our whole high school career,” Jaclyn McPhee said. “I kind of knew probably at the beginning of last year, because she wants to continue to do track in college. So I kind of knew she was on the edge, but I didn’t really think it was going to happen because we’ve been playing softball for so long.”
For Catherine, opting for track to finish out her high school career was certainly challenging. After running cross country and indoor track throughout her time at Braintree though, the senior, felt the time was right for a spring change.
“I think for me, personally, it was just kind of time to move on after so long playing it,” Catherine McPhee said. “I love the sport, I still continue to love the sport, but it was definitely time for me to try something new.
“I’d been running cross country and indoor track since freshman year and I found a new passion in running and I hope I can continue it in the future, whether it be running club in college or just running for fun too.”
Although she’s finishing high school on the outdoor track, Catherine will always have found memories from softball with her sister.
“I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to play with her,” Catherine said. “Me and Jaclyn were always really close and are still really close so playing softball was one of our favorite things to do together. It was definitely hard to not play with her this year but I know she’s doing amazing this season and I’m so proud of her.”
Jaclyn McPhee lays down a bunt for Braintree softball.Peyton Doyle
This spring, the sisters have their separate practices, and events, but they’ve still have shown up for each other for their final season of high school sports.
On April 16, Jaclyn went to see Catherine run against Natick and Newton North in a home meet for Braintree. Catherine has also gotten a chance to catch her sister on the diamond a few times so far this season.
“We’re definitely both supporting each other and I’m really thankful for that,” Catherine said.
With the Wamp softball team this year, Jaclyn has dealt with more than just one change. She’s had to learn to play without her sister and throwing partner, and also how to adjust to being Braintree’s lone senior.
“It’s really great to be a senior now, but it’s kind of surprising almost to me because the time flew by really fast,” Jaclyn said. “I feel like I’m still just a freshman on the team so it’s crazy that I’m a senior now.”
Jaclyn, is one of two captains this year along with junior Sara Harvey.
Wamps coach Katie Jenkins knows that while Jaclyn hasn’t always been the loudest player on her team, she’s always been respected for her leadership.
“One of the best examples I can think of is last year we did an activity where the girls have to answer questions on a Post-it note, and put it up on the poster board. One of the questions was, ‘What does a good teammate look like?’ or ‘What do you need to do to be a good teammate?’” Jenkins said. “There were two different players whose answer was ‘Be the McPhees.’
“Jaclyn has always exemplified what a teammate should be. She always puts the team first. She will do whatever needs to be done to help her teammates, she’s encouraging, she’s supportive. Although she’s a quiet leader, she’s always had that leadership in her through the way she carries herself and the way she supports her teammates.”
Jaclyn McPhee (2) congratulates Kate Fosco (8) after scoring for Braintree Softball.Peyton Doyle
Missing Catherine has been a strange change for not just Jaclyn, but the whole team.
Playing on varsity since they were freshmen, the McPhees have been two of the best softball players at Braintree over the past few seasons.
“I think [Jaclyn] was looking forward to closing out her high school career with her sister by her side, but ultimately, just like she wants the best for her teammates, she wants what her sister wants,” Jenkins said. “So as much as Jaclyn’s definitely bummed about it, she’s handled it really well and I think she’s kind of helped the rest of the team through that as well.”
As well as helping the returners navigate the change, Jaclyn has also had the responsibility of teaching a whole new generation about Braintree softball.
Five freshmen made the varsity team to start the spring. Their transition has been helped mightily by having Jaclyn by their side.
“I think they saw right out of the gate that [Jaclyn] was someone that they could rely on, that could help them feel welcomed,” Jenkins said. “I have girls who acknowledged how welcomed they felt joining the team and they feel like they’ve been here for years, even though it’s only been a few weeks.
“It’s a testament to our how kind and supportive and welcoming Jaclyn is.”
Jaclyn McPhee’s teammates Sophie Carroll and Kaitlyn Needle congratulate her after scoring a run for Braintree softball.Peyton Doyle
Jaclyn got to know many of the freshmen over the winter as she helped lead captains’ practices at the Braintree Baseball Club.
Having those new faces enter the batting cages reminded her of her first days playing for the Wamps
“It’s honestly really nice to see all the freshmen and how they play because I was also a freshman, so it’s like I was almost watching through myself,” Jaclyn said.
Throughout the offseason and first month together, Jaclyn has been impressed by the newest members of her team.
“All the freshmen are honestly really talented and it’s nice to see that the Braintree program will have a really nice future on their hands,” Jaclyn said.
For now though, the team is still led by Jaclyn, who is not just an indispensable leader but also one of Braintree’s best hitters and outfielders.
After hitting nearly .400 in her junior campaign, Jaclyn is batting .423 through her first nine games as a senior.
Jenkins also knows her defense in center is invaluable.
“She covers a lot of ground in the outfield, she’s really quick,” Jenkins said. “She reads the ball really well. Some of the balls that she gets to, it’s like ‘how did you get there?’
Jaclyn McPhee moves after a ball in center field for Braintree softball.Peyton Doyle
Although it’s been a slower start for Braintree this season, winning their first game on Monday night, Jaclyn has confidence in her team the rest of the way.
The senior aims to get into the Division I state softball tournament, something she’s done every year since she was a freshman.
“I’m hoping to make tournament,” Jaclyn said. “Right now our record doesn’t really show how well we’ve been playing. I think that if we just out everything together we’ll be able to make it to tournament and even maybe pass the first round.”
