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Fullerton softball rallies to beat El Modena with 8-run inning in Carew Classic

April 3, 2026

ANAHEIM — The Fullerton softball team, which is the top-ranked team in Orange County, has rarely fallen behind in a game this season.

But the Indians found themselves trailing by three runs against El Modena in the second round of the Michelle Carew Classic on Thursday at Peralta Canyon Park.

The Indians erased that deficit and then some, scoring eight runs in the fourth inning en route to a 12-5 victory over the Vanguards, who are ranked No. 7 in Orange County.

Fullerton (14-1) will play Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista in the quarterfinals Friday at 3:15 p.m. at Peralta Canyon Park.

“We just kind of find ways,” Fullerton coach Trevor Holton said. “The ball finds a lucky spot and we have good speed.”

The Indians’ eight-run outburst in the fourth was more about power than speed. The Vanguards (7-7) also committed four errors in the inning.

Fullerton was trailing 5-2 when Andrea Montes De Oca and Melia Vera led off the inning with back-to-back singles.

Leadoff hitter Hayley Brock, who leads the team in home runs and RBIs, then stepped up to the plate and belted a three-run home run to tie the score.

Brock is 5 for 8 with two home runs and seven RBIs in two tournament games.

“Honestly, it was all adrenaline,” Brock said of the home run. “There was a lot of emotion going into this game. And I came up with the bases loaded two innings before and didn’t get it done, so I knew this time I had to get it done for the team.”

The Indians sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, including seven before an out was recorded.

Soleil Luna doubled in a run and Vera capped the scoring with a bases-clearing double that made the score 10-5.

“My mentality was to just keep it simple and get the ball down and get a base hit,” Luna said. “I know my strengths and it is not going to be to hit a grand slam like Hayley. I knew the pitcher was throwing a drop ball out, so I just go with it.”

Parker Mayes hit a pair of home runs for El Modena. The junior catcher hit a two-run home run in the first and a solo shot in the third that made the score 3-0.

Indians pitcher Katelynn Mathews, who is nursing an injured right ankle, entered the game in the second inning and earned the win to improve to 9-0.

Matthews allowed three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks over four innings.

“She buckles down when it gets tough,” Holton said of Matthews.

The game was called after five innings because of a tournament-imposed time limit.

Orange County Register

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Fullerton softball rallies to beat El Modena with 8-run inning in Carew Classic

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