The dust has settled on the 2022 softball season at Riverbank High School, even the classrooms are quiet following the completion of the academic year, with graduation at the end of May.

This season featured plenty of success for the varsity Lady Bruins on the softball field. They were fourth in the highly competitive Trans-Valley League and made the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, seeded fifth in the Division 5 bracket. They were winners in the first round, defeating Colfax, but then fell to number one seed Calaveras in the next round.

That left RHS with a 13-12 win-loss record overall, with a 6-6 finish for fourth place in the Trans-Valley League.

Helping out with all that success were not one, but two sets of sisters on the Lady Bruin roster. And one of those sets are twins.

This past season, sophomore twins Desirae and Denise Vargas helped hold down the infield, with Desirae, wearing number 7, spending her time behind the plate, playing catcher in virtually every inning. Denise, wearing number 5, spent her time at second base. Both players also contributed with bats in their hands.

The other pair, sisters but not twins, also helped out with their bats, and spent some time in the field.

Jynessa Lopez, wearing the number 1 jersey, a freshman last year, played outfield, first base, and is a left-handed pitcher, though she bats right handed. Sister Janeiya Lopez, wearing number 11, a junior last year, spent most of her time on the mound, a right-hander, but sometimes helped out in the outfield.

With no guarantee that all four will be back on the diamond for the 2023 season, any absence will leave a noticeable hole in the lineup. But they provided a unique, close-knit family feel for the softball squad during a successful campaign.