Submitted photo

When College of the Redwoods and Mendocino College meet in softball, it’s about more than the games.

The two rival colleges played a conference doubleheader at Bear River on Tuesday and before the first pitch the teams and coaches remembered former player Makayla “Boo” Bernald, who tragically died in a car accident in February 2023.

The “Pink Memorial Game” between the two schools has become an annual event in memory of Bernald, who was a four-year starter at Arcata High before playing college ball at both CR and Mendocino.

“Today is the second annual Pink Memorial Game we play in loving memory of Makayla Boo Bernald,” CR head coach Megan Valente told the crowd. “Today we play for Boo. That means we wear our favorite colors with pride, like Boo wore her pink face mask no matter what her team colors were.

“That means we love every part of the game today by dancing all day as she danced on this exact field. That means we remember this is just a game, and after we go home and tell our family we are thankful we love them as Boo loved her family the most.

“Playing for Boo today means we enjoy every minute of it and have no regrets.”

Bernald’s family was also in attendance and her nephew Sawyer threw out the first pitch.

“Today we cannot be sad as we need to tell stories about Boo on and off the field and remember the good times,” Valente continued. “With that we are not having a moment of silence. We are going to have a moment of cheering. I want you to get as loud as you can for this minute.

“Get loud for Boo, she is here with us. Get loud for any family or friend you have lost too soon. Get loud as they are watching over us.”

Bernald was named Bay Valley Conference pitcher of the year after one season at Mendocino.

She also played for Mad River MIST and was a very popular and influential member of the local softball community.

Submitted photo – The Redwoods and Mendocino players and coaches at Tuesday’s doubleheader

Afterwards both coaches reflected on the occasion.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet thing,” Mendocino head coach Doug Wingler said. “On the one hand, she was a great person and had a great impact, but it’s kind of sad to know she’s not here and how fragile life is.”

“I think when people pass, especially her so young, you don’t want to forget them, and we want to keep her memory alive, especially with the huge impact she had at both schools and in the Humboldt softball community,” Velente said. “No doubt if she was still here she would be involved in softball in some way, if it was playing slow pitch, helping Kelly (Helms) with MIST, or helping at Arcata High.”

Valente added that “it was a great turnout and this year her mom and dad were able to be there. 

“Our saying was ‘Play for Boo!’”