A Triple Play: Baca to Baca to Baca

When Priscilla, Christina and Bobby Baca think about it, they realize they’re a bit unusual.

As Bobby said, “Not too many people have sisters who they’re triplets with. It’s pretty rare, sort of one-of-a-kind.”

Well, three of a kind, anyway.

But their Jan. 17, 1983, birthday isn’t all the Granada Hills High students have in common.

The three freshmen are varsity starters, Priscilla and Christina for the Highlanders’ softball team, Bobby on the baseball team.

“Growing up, it’s always been school and sports with us,” Priscilla said.

“I ask [Bobby] every time, ‘How was your game?’ And if he had a bad game, I tease him, or if I had a bad game, he teases me.”

All teasing aside, the Bacas have contributed to the success of their teams.

The players’ greatest assets have been strong arms and an even stronger desire to improve.

“There’s plenty of room for improving,” Christina said. “But we’re working hard, and we’ve gotten better as the season’s gone along.”

Bobby, the only freshman on the Highlanders’ baseball team, has rebounded from a broken right hand that sidelined him for five weeks. He won a starting job in left field, and in nine games, has batted .318 with three doubles and four runs batted in.

Priscilla plays catcher and Christina is at shortstop for the softball team.

Although they have struggled at the plate, hovering around .200 with five RBIs each, both girls nailed down their positions in the field early on and have played well defensively.

“They’ve come along,” Granada Hills softball Coach Carolyn Gunny said.

“I look at them now, 15 years old, and I just can’t believe it,” said Maritza Baca, the triplets’ mother. “It’s amazing. They’re like a team, a little team.”