Fullerton softball team keeps rolling with decisive league win over Kennedy

Leading Fullerton to the win were (from left) Hayley Brock, Katelynn Mathews, Malaya Majam-Finch, Solejl Luna, Kaylyn Yi and Melia Vera. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Fullerton’s girls softball team keeps on winning. 

The Indians notched their 11th win in their last 12 games with a 10-0 Golden Empire League victory over Kennedy Friday afternoon at Fullerton.

Despite a nagging ankle injury, Katelynn Mathews was superb for the Indians (18-2, 2-0). The right-hander (11-0) gave up two hits in four innings and struck out six.

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The Cal Baptist-commit walked only one batter before giving way to Malaya Majam-Finch who pitched the fifth inning to close out the shutout win. The game was called due to the run rule after five and a half innings with Fullerton leading by 10 runs. 

“I feel like I’m about 75 percent,” said Mathews, who injured her ankle in November. “I was in pain out there but I think once the game gets going I don’t think about it. I was comfortable but I think the ankle does affect my velocity, but my riser and my curveball were working well.” 

In the first inning, Fullerton didn’t get a hit but took advantage of four walks and an error by the Fighting Irish (7-11-1, 2-1) to push across three runs. Melia Vera singled and came around to score to increase the Indians lead to 4-0 in the second inning.

Fullerton then pounded out six hits and scored six times in the third inning to put the game away.

Ava Flores led off the Indians’ third inning with a single and Analise Barrios followed with a walk. Two outs later, Vera drilled an RBI single. Hayley Brock followed with an RBI double and Kaylyn Yi followed with a two-run triple down the right field line.

Soleil Luna then launched a towering two-run home run over the left field fence to cap the rally and give the Indians a 10-0 lead. Brock, Yi and Vera each scored two runs in the game. 

“I hit a fastball in and I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it,” said Luna, who blasted her third home run of the season. “This team grinds. We want to win CIF this year.”

Fullerton Coach Trevor Holton was pleased with the win.

“I’m very happy how our team is continuing to play consistent and focused softball,” said Holton. “The seniors on this team were freshmen when they won the state regional championship three years ago. They have remained grounded, humble and they always work hard.” 

Fighting Irish coach Adrian Ramon Jr. said his team has to move on quickly.

“We have a game tomorrow, so we have to forget about this one and move on,” said Ramon Jr. “When we show up and play, we are capable and have beaten some very good teams.” 

Notes:

—Fullerton coach Trevor Holton added that five of his players have committed to play college softball: Katelynn Mathews/Cal Baptist (Riverside), Malaya Majam-Finch/Oklahoma, Hayley Brock/Utah Valley, Soleil Luna/UNLV and Melia Vera/Chapman. 

—-Kennedy coach Adrian Ramon Jr. said that his junior infielder Natalie Headley had already committed to play softball in college at Abilene Christian University in Texas. 

—The Fighting Irish have missed their starting catcher, Jessie Iglesias, this season. Iglesias hasn’t played yet this season due to an achilles injury. Ramon Jr. indicated he is expected Iglesias back in about two weeks and will give Kennedy a lift.   

—-Fullerton is currently ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division III and No. 11 nationally by MaxPreps.