On Thursday, Eastern’s softball team played Big 10 opponent University of Washington. For most this was just a regular game, but for two players, it was a family reunion. 

Eastern’s junior infielder Mia Mazzola and Washington’s freshman infielder and outfielder Sophi Mazzola reunited on the field.  

It has been three years since Mia and Sophi Mazzola played in high school together at Eureka Senior High School in Eureka, Missouri. 

Mia Mazzola thought that was going to be the last time she would play on the same field as her sister. 

“Whenever we heard this fall that we were going to be able to play together on the same field, it was a lot of emotion.”  Mia Mazzola said. 

Sophi Mazzola called it a full-circle moment. 

“Yeah, definitely a full-circle moment. Just like the game of softball is an amazing sport, and this just goes to show like it’s family above everything,” Sophi Mazzola said. 

In softball before the game, the coaches will go to home plate and trade their lineup sheets. For the Washington game, both teams had the sisters go up for it. Mia Mazzola said she had no idea they were doing it. 

“Oh, I think that it was a surprise for both of us,” she said. “I saw Sophi [Mazzola] walking up, I had no idea though, so we were surprised. I was teary-eyed.” 

The sisters hugged at home plate and got to share a special moment before the game.  

Their mom, Marta Mazzola, said this was the first time they played against each other. She said usually they are on the same team so for them to play against each other at the highest level, she said it was very exciting to see. 

“It was very surreal because they always played on the same team when they were younger, so I’ve never really seen them play against each other,” she said. “Then, during the actual game it was more emotional, and I kept getting teary eyed because this will never happen again, probably. So, it was really, really neat to see just the fruition of their hard work as kids.” 

Marta Mazzola was not the only family to come out for the sisters. Mia Mazzola said their entire family came out from Missouri to support them. 

“They made the road trip, so it was so crazy. It’s definitely just a God thing,” Mia Mazzola said. “We had no idea that this was even possible, so it was just crazy that [Washington is] coincidentally playing in Champaign this weekend, so it just worked out really well.” 

Both sisters found out last year when Sophi Mazzola committed to Washington and saw they were playing University of Illinois. 

From there, Washington head coach Heather Tarr said she wanted to bring Sophi Mazzola home and designed the game from there. 

“It was just a cool opportunity for us to bring one of our players Sophi Mazzola, quote on quote home,” Tarr said. “I know this isn’t her hometown, but we designed this game so we could bring one of our players close to her family and she got to play against her sister tonight, so that was really cool.” 

Overall, both sisters were just happy to play with one another again. Even if it wasn’t for the same team, Sophi Mazzola said it felt nice. 

“So grateful to even get this opportunity to play with her again,” Sophi Mazzola said. “And even though we aren’t on the same team, it feels nice and homey.”

 Patrick Schmitz can be reached at 581-2812 or at pfschmitz@eiu.edu.