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Mater Dei softball shows its ‘fight’ to handle Foothill in CIF-SS playoffs

May 15, 2026

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY — One of the defining characteristics of Nicole Wise’s first season as the Mater Dei softball coach surfaced again Thursday.

The Monarchs showed their fight to collect an 11-3 victory against Foothill in first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Fountain Valley Sports Park.

The Monarchs snapped a 3-3 tie with a five-run fourth inning to advance to the second round with a familiar drive.

They shook off struggles at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions to later capture the Dugard Classic. And they recovered from a 1-4 start in the Trinity League to earn an at-large berth in the playoffs and No. 2 seed.

“That’s the fight in the girls. That’s what has been happening all year,” Wise said. “There were some games that didn’t go our way but at the end of day, the girls never gave up. They always fought.”

Mater Dei (16-11), ranked seventh in Orange County, will play at Gahr on Saturday. Gahr defeated Yorba Linda 4-2 in another first-round game.

Danica Lancellotti and Audrey Eyler capped the Monarchs’ fourth inning with consecutive two-run doubles with two outs.

Mater Dei’s unity showed with its offense. The Monarchs collected 11 hits, including home runs by Savanah Duncan and Ally Carrillo.

Duncan, who batted eighth, hit a two-run home run in the second as Mater Dei opened a 3-0 lead. Carrillo hit a three-run home run in the fifth to punctuate the scoring.

Mater Dei’s lineup featured slugger Tulutululelei Salue at leadoff and left-handed slap hitter Mikayla Maclsaac batting ninth.

“Once we keep passing the bat, it gets our party started,” said Lancellotti, who gave the Monarchs’ a 6-3 lead with a bases-loaded double in the fourth. “We all have our jobs to do and we all work together so well. We advance the runners, we score runs for our pitchers and just work as a team.”

Pitcher Citlaly Valencia recovered from a three-run home run by sophomore Aurora Autagavaia in third to pitch a complete game with nine strikeouts.

The UC Riverside committed senior praised her defense that produced a double-play started by Carrillo at shortstop and a diving catch in left by Maclsaac.

“After the home run, I just had to shake it off and keep being there for my teammates. I know they all have my back,” said Valencia, who closed the game with four scoreless innings.

Foothill (18-10), ranked No. 19 in county, played its final game under coach Jeff Wright, who is moving to Arkansas to be closer to his sons.

The Knights’ highlighted their effort by throwing out a runner at the plate in the second inning to preserve a 3-3 tie. With a runner on first, freshman left fielder Avery Victer fielded a single by Salue, threw to sophomore shortstop Brooklyn Austin, who fired the relay to sophomore catcher Calla Nagler for the tag.

Foothill’s starting lineup didn’t feature a senior.

“It’s bittersweet,” Wright said of his departure after 11 seasons, including a CIF-SS title in 2023. “I have worked really hard building what we are but what I have always told (the players), it’s them.”

“We’re just trying to get back to where we’re supposed to be,” the coach added. “I’m very proud of the girls out there today.”

Orange County Register

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Mater Dei softball shows its ‘fight’ to handle Foothill in CIF-SS playoffs

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