The 2025 high school softball season got underway last week. Here are some of the top Inland teams to watch this season.
Aquinas (28-1): The Falcons are the two-time defending champions of the Ambassador League. The lineup returns several key hitters, including junior outfielder Savana Estrada (.649, 12 HR, 50 RBI) and junior shortstop Amani McField (.494, 10 HR, 28 RBI). Pitching might be an issue early in the year, but sophomore Katie Coldiron, a transfer from Yucaipa, is expected to make an impact after the sit-out period ends (March 28).
Ayala (21-5): The Bulldogs are the two-time defending champions of the Palomares League. Senior Allie Lukaszewicz (signed with Pittsburgh) returns in the circle after going 12-3 with a 1.85 ERA last season. Senior third baseman McKenzy Bacerra (.488, 43 RBI; Southern Utah), senior outfielder Marissa Dominguez (.469, 28 RBIs; Cal State Dominguez Hills) and senior first baseman Taelor Walker (.418, 32 runs; Loyola Marymount) lead the offense.
Bonita (22-7): The Bearcats will be looking to reclaim the Palomares League title, which they last won in 2022. Third baseman Koa Puppe had a phenomenal freshman campaign, batting .556 with 11 homers and 41 RBI, and she went 3-2 in the circle. Junior Serenity Reyes will likely get the bulk of the innings in the pitcher’s circle. Other returning starters include junior shortstop Camryn Van Valkenburgh (.410. 28 runs) and senior outfielder Mia Guerrero (.317; Howard).
Chino Hills (17-12): The Huskies finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Baseline League. Junior Sophia Tice (.462, 24 R) is one of the area’s best outfielders. Other returner starters include senior outfielder Kyler Del Duca (.418; Arkansas), senior shortstop Lyla Gonzalez (.400, 20 RBI; UNLV), and junior designated player Lianna Ferrara (.370, 29 RBI). Senior Nadia Juarez will get the bulk of innings in the circle.
Etiwanda (31-5): The Eagles shared the Baseline League title and won CIF Southern Section Division 3 and CIF State Division II regional titles last year. Michigan State-bound pitcher Alyssa Galindo is back after going 10-2 with 0.83 ERA, while going .515 with 12 homers and 36 RBI at the plate. Other returners include senior second baseman Taylor Wren (.442, 35 RBI; UC Riverside) and sophomore first baseman Frankie Nevarez (.465, 31 RBI). Third baseman Dailynn Batee is one of the area’s top freshmen.
Ganesha (22-0): The Giants won back-to-back CIF Southern Section titles in lower divisions but likely will be competing in the upper divisions this year as the section is using in-season rankings. The lineup is led by a trio of sophomores: catcher Hollynn Gentry (.618, 25 RBI), outfielder Lacy Van Tuinen (.582, 10 HR, 35 RBI) and shortstop Kaylee Lewis (.587, 30 runs). New Mexico State-bound Kalena Lemus (15-0, 0.74 ERA) returns in the circle.
Great Oak (16-11-1): The Wolfpack finished second in the Southwestern League and reached the Division 1 quarterfinals. The program graduated one of the area’s best pitchers in Miali Guachino, so other players need to step up in that department. Great Oak does however return a number of key hitters, including senior first baseman Jocelyn James (Howard) and sophomore outfielder Chloe Koenigshofer.
King (20-11): The Wolves finished third in the Big VIII League but made an inspiring run to the Division 3 championship game. Sophomore Mackenzie Carlone is back to lead the pitching staff. The lineup returns several key hitters, as well, including senior outfielder Gianna Gusmam (Baylor), senior catcher Kayla Penor (UCR), senior second baseman Karsyn Sanchez (Southern Utah) and senior outfielder Mya Allen (Loyola Marymount).
Liberty (22-8): The Bison have reached a section final each of the previous two seasons. Liberty is making the move from the Mountain Pass League to the Ivy League this season. The lineup returns senior outfielder Attiana Thompson (.553, 32 R; Weber State) and junior designated player Julianna Larson (.442, 10 HR, 31 RBI). Senior Janessa Giugliano (Colorado-Colorado Springs) leads the pitching staff.
Murrieta Mesa (28-4): The Rams won the CIF State Division I regional title last year and are the Southwestern League’s four-time defending champions. Tennessee-bound center fielder Taelyn Holley, the reigning IE Varsity Player of the Year, is back after batting.598 with 11 homers and 59 runs scored. Junior Lilly Hauser is one of the state’s top pitchers (23-1, 0.63 ERA, 216 Ks) and also batted .514 with nine homers and 37 RBI. Senior shortstop Kenzie Farrier (.419; CBU) and sophomore catcher Macy Clark (.414, 31 RBI) are other key returners.
Norco (23-4): The Cougars are the Big VIII League’s defending champion and currently ranked No. 8 in the nation by MaxPreps. The pitching staff is considered among the best in the nation. Junior Peyton May and sophomore Coral Williams will see the bulk of innings, and senior Kimberly Neal also is available. Boise State-bound outfielder Tamryn Shorter is an elite leadoff hitter (.529, 8 HR, 40 runs). Other key returners include senior outfielder Dakota Potter (South Carolina), senior catcher Ashley Duran (Southern Illinois), and sophomore shortstop Leighton Gray. Sophomore infielder Sadie Burroughs, a transfer from Santiago, is expected to contribute after the sit-out period ends.
Riverside Poly (24-3-2): The Bears are the defending champions of the Ivy League. The program graduated ace pitcher Miranda De Nava and might use more of a committee approach in the circle this season. Sophomore Marley Audoma leads that cast of arms. Poly has a young but talented lineup, including sophomore third baseman Katelyn Cortez (.414, 23 runs), freshman catcher Honesty Romero, and freshman first baseman Cassandra Ayala.
Roosevelt (13-10): The Mustangs finished second in the Big VIII League standings last season. The lineup returns several key hitters, starting with junior outfielder Aubrey McLaughlin, a recent member of the USA Youth National Team. Others to watch include junior outfielder Lotolelei Sivas, senior shortstop Joryn Chatman (Cal State Fullerton) and sophomore third baseman Mia Kaihau-Holani. Senior Giazza Lopez leads the pitching staff.
Upland (17-8): The Highlanders were 1 of 3 teams to share the Baseline League championship last year. Senior Perseus Yanez (Cal State Northridge) will lead the pitching staff and be the team’s leadoff hitter. Other key batters include senior third baseman Gianna Lomeli, sophomore outfielder Logan Bester, and junior second baseman Jayla Ruiz.
Valley View (26-6-1): The Eagles have finished second in the Ivy League each of the past two years. Junior catcher Alyssa Torres is the Inland area’s premier power hitter, having slugged 25 home runs over her first two seasons. Other key returners in the lineup include sophomore shortstop Destiny Mendoza and senior outfielder Madison Barrios. The pitching staff is headlined by sophomore Bella Hernandez and senior Giselle Morales.
Vista Murrieta (13-11): The Broncos finished third in the Southwestern League. Junior Laura Kersey has delivered big performances in the circle in the past and shut out Etiwanda last week. The top batters include senior outfielder Mia Powell (Seattle), senior shortstop Kylie Espinoza (Iowa State), and junior second baseman Kynarra Vuki.
Yucaipa (10-15-4): The Thunderbirds finished second in the Citrus Belt League last season but might be the title favorite this year. Senior catcher Makenna Petty (Cal State Northridge) posted a .470 average last season and will be the team’s leadoff hitter. Junior Emily Mendoza and sophomore Brooklyn Dent will share time in the circle.
