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HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PREVIEW 2025
Canyon’s softball team returns six starting position players, a pair of aces in the circle and a designated player from a squad that went 24-5 last season. The group won the Crestview League title and reached the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals.
Those credentials make the Comanches the No. 1 team in the Orange County preseason rankings but that’s not their goal.
They want to play their best in May in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“We all know what we want to accomplish this year,” said Canyon coach Jess Carbajal, The Register’s reigning Orange County coach of the year. “(Our players) want to compete for a CIF championship. The want to compete for a league championship, and they know that it’s all very, very hard.”
“I’m letting them focus on the task at hand, and that is work, work, every single day to earn the right to get to that (level),” the coach added.
Canyon High School softball player pitcher Jordan Simmons (8) in Anaheim on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player, shortstop Jade Diaz (3) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player pitcher Bella Settembro (6) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player pitcher Bella Settembro (6) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player, shortstop Jade Diaz (3) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player second baseman Victoria Oropeza (10) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player first baseman Irma Urincho (16) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player second baseman Victoria Oropeza (10) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player center fielder Sam Gresham (4) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player center fielder Sam Gresham (4) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player first baseman Irma Urincho (16) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canyon High School softball player pitcher Jordan Simmons (8) in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Show Caption1 of 12Canyon High School softball player pitcher Jordan Simmons (8) in Anaheim on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandLike always in softball, success starts in the circle. Canyon looks strong with the return seniors Jordan Simmons, a left-hander headed to Brown, and Bella Settembro, a right-hander committed to UC San Diego.
The Comanches also return their entire infield in first baseman Irma Urincho (BYU), second baseman Victoria Oropeza (Augusta University), shortstop Jade Diaz (Cal) and third baseman Sophia Sandoval. Three of the four are seniors.
The outfield welcomes back senior center fielder Sam Gresham (Dartmouth) and junior right fielder Maya Valenzuela. Mia Saenz is back as the designated player who could bat leadoff.
The long list of veteran players leaves Canyon two positions to fill, and they’re important ones for defense: catcher and left field.
At catcher, the Comanches will look to platoon sophomore Reagan Little and freshman Ava DiGiambattista, Carbajal. Junior Sydney Weems is a top candidate for left field.
Canyon’s schedule should help with the playoff preparation.
The Comanches will compete in the Kops Tournament of the Champions (March 6-8), the Michelle Carew Classic (April 2-5) and play three rounds in the Crestview League with two-time defending Division 1 champion Pacifica, El Modena, Esperanza and Cypress.
Canyon opens league at Pacifica on March 18.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Carbajal said of the season. “It’s going to be fun, and we’re just going to have to play great ball, but we’re committed to it.”
ORANGE COUNTY PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Canyon: Led by a core group of six college-bound seniors, the reigning Crestview League champion returns arguably the most experience in the county.
2. Orange Lutheran: Coach Steve Miklos believes he has potentially his best team. Oklahoma-bound center fielder Kai Minor paces a speedy lineup for the 2024 Division 1 runner-up. Shortstop Madelyn Armendariz (Mississippi commit) is on the rise. And Los Alamitos transfer Jo Marsh, a UCLA committed junior, leads a pitching staff that includes freshman to watch Rylee Silva.
3. JSerra: The Lions might have the most formidable pitching in the county. There’s sophomore Abby Ford, now-eligible junior Liliana Escobar and freshman to watch Madeline Capek. If the Lions consistently score runs, watch out.
4. El Modena: The Vanguards look strong with Loyola Marymount-bound Sara Pinedo in the circle and Boise State-bound Kaitlyn Galasso leading the offense. Oregon committed junior Kylie Tafua shifts to shortstop from third base.
5. Pacifica: The two-time defending Division 1 champion graduated a historic senior class but still features several strong returners. Sophomore Mattea Stern remains a dangerous hitter and UC Santa Barbara-bound catcher Catherine Benitez looks primed for a big season. Look for UC Davis-bound senior Ellena Ediss to emerge more in the circle.
6. Los Alamitos: The reigning Sunset League champion plans to blend experience with some youth The circle could provide an example as Los Alamitos features senior Layni Kimura (East Texas A & M) and freshman Jaliane Brooks.
7. Santa Margarita: The Eagles aren’t playing in Kops or Carew tournaments but don’t forget about them when the Trinity League starts in late March. A strong senior class includes pitchers Payton Kennedy (Mississippi) and Sawyer Denser (Loyola Marymount), outfielder Jillian Torres (Notre Dame) and JSerra transfer shortstop Alyssa Grajeda (BYU).
8. Mater Dei: The Monarchs surged late last season in Division 2 and feature several college-bound seniors. Oklahoma State-bound shortstop Elle McCloskey headlines a group that includes Jaelyn Toledo (UC Santa Barbara) and Sophia Rolon (Cal). The pitchers to watch are senior Sienna Acosta (Penn) and junior Citlaly Valencia.
9. Fullerton: The Indians return seven all-league players, including Oklahoma committed junior ace and hitter Malaya Majam-Finch and outfielder Hayley Brock (Utah Valley). They also have added Sunny Hills transfer Ava Flores, who will play catcher and third base. Fullerton shifts to the Empire League.
10. Rosary: Coach Tom Tice said the Pacific Coast League-bound Royals have their “best team we’ve had in a long time.” Rosary features several standout sophomores including pitcher Ava Phillips. Senior Daleah Cardenas is another pitcher to watch.
Others to watch (listed alphabetically): Aliso Niguel, Capistrano Valley, Esperanza, Huntington Beach, Marina, Mission Viejo, Tesoro, Whittier Christian.
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
Abby Ford, JSerra: The hard-throwing sophomore is one of the top pitchers on the Orange County Batbusters’ powerhouse 18-and-under team.
Shea Gonzalez, Villa Park: The Washington committed junior is a slapper hitter with elite speed. She forms a dynamic duo with Auddrey Lira (UC San Diego).
Sofia Hernandez, Whittier Christian: The left-handed hitting third baseman, who is a junior, recently committed to Arizona State.
Natalie Keith, Northwood: The athletic junior infielder recently committed to Arizona. She starred at QB in flag football for the Division 2 champion.
Malaya Majam-Finch, Fullerton: The Oklahoma committed junior is healthy after being slowed by injury late last season, Indians coach Trevor Holton said.
Kalie Matsuno, Los Alamitos: The Florida-bound shortstop is one of the county’s top defensive players.
Loula-Rae McNamara, Tesoro: The Boise State-bound left-hander went 15-4 with a 1.70 ERA last season. Esperanza pitcher Charley Duran is another Boise State commit to watch.
Kai Minor, Orange Lutheran: The Oklahoma-bound senior can flip momentum with her offense or defense. “She just makes things happen,” Lancers coach Steve Miklos said.
Sara Pinedo, El Modena: The Loyola Marymount-bound senior went 14-6 with a 2.08 ERA last season.
Jordan Simmons, Canyon: The All-County left-handed pitcher is a senior co-captain with second baseman Victoria Oropeza.
Mattea Stern, Pacifica: The speedy sophomore shifts to center field from left. “She’s special,” Mariners coach Tony Arduino said.
Mia Valbuena, Marina: The junior committed to Michigan leads the Vikings’ strong group of pitchers.
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