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ORANGE COUNTY SOFTBALL PREVIEW 2026
Orange Lutheran’s softball team is prepared to showcase another side of its program.
After graduating Orange County player of the year Kai Minor, who is now playing at the University of Oklahoma, the Lancers will display their depth this spring.
With the return of seven starters and six seniors committed to colleges, Orange Lutheran opens the season ranked No.1 in Orange County.
“Kai will definitely be missed but we’re got a lot of depth,” Lancers coach Steve Miklos said. “We’re pretty balanced. Going into the season, we don’t really have any big holes with the exception of Kai leaving.”
“We’ve got a good mix of power, speed,” added the coach, who enters his 29th season. “Defensively, we’re pretty mature in the infield and our pitching is good.”
Orange Lutheran returns several pitchers, including sophomore Rylee Silva and senior Jo Marsh. Silva earned co-pitcher of the year in the Trinity League as a freshman while Marsh signed with UCLA.
The duo forms a strong battery with returning catcher Cate Medvitz, a senior who signed with North Dakota.
In the infield, shortstop Madelyn Armendariz (Mississippi) and second baseman Sierra Nichols (Idaho State) anchor the defense.
The seniors include third baseman Carlie Snyder, who signed with San Jose State.
The Lancers also have two transfers, infielder Morgan Fitzpatrick, a senior who signed with Notre Dame, and sophomore infielder Melia Munoz. They’re transfers from Los Alamitos and JSerra, respectively.
In the outfield, Orange Lutheran returns right fielder Mia Scott, who was all-league last season, and Malia Smith, a sophomore who hit three home runs last season. Center field remains a question.
Miklos knows the challenges ahead. The Lancers captured their sixth consecutive Trinity League title last season but lost in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
“On paper, we look really good,” Miklos said, “(but) is all comes down to how we play.”
NOTES
The 30th annual Dave Kops Tournament of Champions is March 5-7 in Bullhead City, Ariz. El Modena is the defending champion. …
The Michelle Carew Classic is April 1-4. Defending champion Rosary and JSerra are among the teams that aren’t participating in the tournament this season because of its overlap with the Easter holiday. “I love the tournament and I would love to be back,” Rosary coach Tom Tice said. The Royals graduated senior six seniors and had six players transfer out, Tice said.
ORANGE COUNTY PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Orange Lutheran: The Lancers’ depth in the circle and at key defensive positions makes them formidable. Sophomore Rylee Silva and UCLA signee Jo Marsh return to lead the pitching staff while Madelyn Armendariz and Sierra Nichols anchor the infield.
2. JSerra: The Lions again feature elite pitching. They return O.C. pitcher of the year Liliana Escobar, who signed with Florida, and Abby Ford, a junior committed to Washington. The key for JSerra remains generating consistent offense.
3. El Modena: The Vanguards should be contenders in the Crestview League with the return of several experienced players. Third baseman Kylie Tafua (Oregon), center fielder Jocelyn Alatorre (Kansas) and pitcher Ashley Driskill (San Diego) helped the Vanguards finish as the Division 1 runner-up last season. El Modena starts the season with two key players injured: Tafua (hand) and catcher Parker Mayes (back).
4. Fullerton: The Indians return eight starters, including pitchers Katelynn Mathews (Cal Baptist commit) and Malaya Majam-Finch (Oklahoma) and outfielder Hayley Brock (Utah Valley). They have added Brea Olinda transfer Soleil Luna, an infielder who signed with UNLV.
5. Los Alamitos: The reigning Division 2 champion returns ace Jaliane Brooks and its starting outfield but will feature a group of new infielders. Developing an infield is a tall order but defense is usually a strength for teams coached by Rob Weil, a seven-time section champion.
6. Marina: The Vikings return almost all of their starters from a squad that claimed the Division 3 title last spring. Michigan-bound ace Mia Valbuena leads the way. She teams with her twin sister Avi Valbuena (Chattanooga) and catcher Gabby DiBenedetto (Maryland) among others.
7. Pacifica: The Mariners should be fast with the return of center fielder Mattea Stern, a junior who is committed to Arizona, and freshman left fielder Jenna Valladares. The question for the Crestview League contender will be pitching. Junior Shay Kletke and freshman Raquel Pineda are top candidates in the circle.
8. La Habra: The Highlanders return a lot of firepower from a squad that reached the second round of the Division 1 playoffs. Catcher Eliana Corona and outfielder Alyssa Hernandez each belted eight home runs in 2025. Pitcher Madison Payne (Holy Cross) went 17-2. Freshman Erica Martin is a pitcher to watch this season. La Habra moves up to the Crestview League.
9. Santa Margarita: The Eagles look to stay competitive with Lyla Morales leading the pitching staff. They also have center fielder Camryn Legeny (Utah State) and third baseman Payton Stowasser (George Washington).
10T. Huntington Beach: The Oilers remain dangerous in the Sunset League with the return of pitcher Juliette Foutz, slugger Bree Carlson and all-league outfielder Maleah Humble. Huntington Beach has only two seniors.
10T. Aliso Niguel: The Wolverines missed the playoffs last season but have three key returning players: pitchers Amanda Elkins and Charlotte Giler (Columbia commit) and catcher Tessa Cowsill (BYU).
Also considered (alphabetical order): Canyon; Cypress; Mater Dei; Rosary; Villa Park; Whittier Christian.
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jaliane Brooks, Los Alamitos, So.: The pitcher signaled her arrival last season during the Griffins’ run to the Division 2 title.
Bree Carlson, Huntington Beach, Jr.: The Utah commit belted a school-record 11 home runs and led the county with 53 RBIs last season.
Eliana Corona, La Habra, So.: The catcher hit a home run in four consecutive games last season en route to second-team All-County honors.
Liliana Escobar, JSerra, Sr.: The reigning O.C. pitcher of the year went 14-5 with a 1.20 ERA and 239 strikeouts last season and led JSerra to a Division 2 runner-up finish.
K’lene Gutierrez, Rosary, Jr.: The infielder hit .488 with a school-record 50 RBIs last season to earn first-team All-County honors. She is expected to switch to third base from first base.
Hayden Huerta, Rosary, Jr.: The Arizona State commit hit .565 and scored a school-record 47 runs last season to earn Pacific Coast League offensive player of the year.
Katelynn Mathews, Fullerton, Jr.: The Cal Baptist commit went 15-3 with 1.27 ERA and 185 strikeouts last season to help the Indians reach the Division 1 playoffs.
Rylee Silva, Orange Lutheran, So.: Silva posted a 14-3 record with a 1.73 ERA last season.
Mia Valbuena, Marina, Sr.: The Michigan signee went 19-10 last season with a 1.88 ERA. She also had a county-high 293 strikeouts as she led the Vikings to the Division 3 title.
Emily Yoon, El Dorado, So.: Yoon burst onto the scene last spring by posting a 14-2 record and 0.63 ERA.