Northwood softball team, led by top seniors, earns No. 3 ranking in CIF Division 5 poll

Northwood’s Riley Bajorek is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run against San Juan Hills. (Photo courtesy Northwood athletics).

Northwood High School’s softball team has had a solid start to the season and earned a No. 3 ranking in this week’s CIF Division 5 poll.

“The team is doing well,” said Northwood Coach Nicole Thomas. “We started off the season with a strong win against Trabuco Hills and I think that set a tone for the season. The girls show up every day ready to learn and get better. There are days I truly can’t ask any more of them and that’s why we’re seeing results. We are a small and young team, but everyone is on the same page.”

Northwood (4-8 overall, 2-1 in the Pacific Coast League) is led by seniors Rachael McLaughlin and Allison Morikawa. The Timberwolves have captured league victories over Irvine and University and lost to Woodbridge.

“We have great senior leadership,” Thomas said. “Rachael McLaughlin and Allison Morikawa have both invested in the team on and off the field. We’re hoping to make this a memorable season for them.” 

A number of other players have stepped up too.

“We have a killer battery (Riley Bajorek and Alison Morikawa) and a defense that seriously gets better every day,” Thomas said. “Bajorek is hitting .575 and Morikawa is at .605, so that also helps. We have players who put the ball in play consistently, Ava Giglio is hitting .342 with three other players all at .333 (Lauren Silva, McLaughlin and Baylie Wong).

“We have players willing to move around constantly in order to give our team its best chance at success. We have players who can literally play center field, shortstop, and pitch a few innings (even though they’re not pitchers) all in one game. But most importantly, they’re all supportive and encouraging to make it all happen.”