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Fullerton softball excited by its improvement entering Carew Classic

March 31, 2026

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Fullerton’s softball team won five games in 2021 and narrowly avoided last place in the Freeway League.

On Wednesday at Peralta Canyon Park in Anaheim, Fullerton (12-1) will open the Michelle Carew Classic against Chino Hills (9-4) at 5:15 p.m. as the No. 1-ranked team in Orange County.

Yes, it’s been a remarkable transformation for the Indians and fifth-year coach Trevor Holton.

“It’s an accomplishment and this group has worked really hard,” Holton said of the turnaround. “When we took over five years ago, we were 5-18 the year before.”

“The kids have bought-in. The parents have bought-in,” the coach added. “These girls are running and lifting all year. That really helps them when we get into the grunt of the season. … And our administration is awesome.”

Fullerton’s rise has been steady.

In 2023, the Indians claimed the Division III title in the CIF Southern California Regional after finishing as the CIF-SS Division 4 runner-up to Foothill.

The next spring, Fullerton went undefeated in the Freeway League and reached the CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinals.

And last season, the Indians made the Division 1 playoffs in Southern Section.

They enter the Carew Classic with a well-balanced team.

Fullerton features two college-committed pitchers in Katelynn Mathews (Cal Baptist) and Malaya Majam-Finch (Oklahoma). Both players are dealing with injuries but are “going to give it a go” this week, Holton said.

Mathews’ freshman sister Kaylee is the catcher and has been training with her sister for several years.

The lineup starts with a pair of strong left-handed batters in Hayley Brock (Utah Valley) and Kaylyn Yi. Brock, a senior, is hitting .459 with 16 RBIs from the leadoff spot and Yi, a sophomore, is hitting .571.

UNLV commit Soleil Luna, a transfer from Brea Olinda, helps supply offensive punch. The senior is hitting .368 with two home runs and 12 RBIs.

Junior Ava Flores is hitting .389 with two home runs.

“We can win different ways,” Holton said. “We have good pitching. We have a deep lineup. We have good speed.”

Fullerton features plenty of experience. Five players from its SoCal regional team are now seniors. They are Majam-Finch, second baseman Melia Vera, Andrea Montes De Oca, Analise Barrios and Abby Galvan.

Majam-Finch is the niece of two-time Olympian Jennie Finch.

Fullerton has never reached the finals of the Carew Classic but announced itself as a contender earlier this season.

After falling to La Mirada in the quarterfinals of the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz., the Indians beat Norco and Orange Lutheran on March 7 to finish in fifth place.

“There’s a lot of good teams out there,” Holton said. “I don’t think we’re the most talented team. We can get humbled real quick. Looking at the top teams, the pitching is tough. La Mirada really shut us down.”

“(We need to) stay humble (and) keep working every day,” he added.

CAREW CLASSIC NOTES

Other top first-round games on Wednesday at Peralta: Canyon-Aquinas at 1 p.m., Orange Lutheran-ML King at 3 p.m. and Los Alamitos-Great Oak at 5:15 p.m. On Thursday, El Modena opens against Vista Murrieta at 11 a.m.

The quarterfinals are Friday at Peralta Canyon Park at 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. On Saturday, the semifinals at 1:15 p.m. with the championship set for 7:30 p.m.

Marina senior Mia Valbuena is a pitcher to watch. The Vikings open against Rio Mesa on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. could face the Los Altos-Esperanza winner in the second round Wednesday night. “She’s one of the best out there,” Los Alamitos coach Rob Weil said of Michigan commit. “She’s a competitor.” …

Morgan Fitzpatrick’s transfer to Orange Lutheran from Los Alamitos has been denied, according to the CIF-SS website.

Orange County Register

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Fullerton softball excited by its improvement entering Carew Classic

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