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ALL-ORANGE COUNTY SOFTBALL TEAM 2026
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hayley Brock, Fullerton, Senior
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock didn’t just “want” certain victories. She felt that she “needed” to beat powerhouses such as Norco and Orange Lutheran.
For the senior, there was a major difference between desiring a result, and requiring a win to quench her competitive thirst.
“Seeing the best competition definitely brings (the intensity) out in me,” she said. “I want to beat whoever is better than me.”
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock (13) drove in the game’s only run in the Indians’ 1-0 victory over Mater Dei of Chula Vista in the quarterfinals of the Michelle Carew Classic on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Peralta Park in Anaheim (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock hit four home runs and collected 12 RBIs through the first four games of the Michelle Carew Classic. Fullerton reached the finals and will play Norco for the title Saturday night, April 4, 2026, at Peralta Park in Anaheim. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock was named the MVP of the Michelle Carew Classic after going 11 for 18 with four home runs, two doubles and 12 RBIs over five games. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock, left, hit two home runs, Malaya Majam-Finch, center, hit two home runs and Andrea Montes De Oca hit a home run to power the Indians to a 9-4 victory over Ganesha in the semifinals of the Michelle Carew Classic on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Peralta Park in Anaheim. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock went 2 for 4 with a two-run home run in a 4-3 loss to Millikan in the teams’ regular-season finale Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fullerton’s Hayley Brock, left, hit a three-run home run and Melia Vera, right, hit a three-run double to lead the Indians to a 12-5 victory over El Modena in the Michelle Carew Classic on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Peralta Park in Anaheim. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)
Brock delivered clutch hits to help Fullerton beat Norco and Orange Lutheran early in the season, and she didn’t let up.
The leadoff batter hit .512 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 28 games to help the Indians climb to No. 1 in Orange County and reach the finals of the Michelle Carew Classic.
Both the ranking and tournament finish were new accomplishments for Fullerton, and major reasons why Brock is The Register’s Orange County softball player of the year.
“She’s a competitor,” Fullerton coach Trevor Holton said of Brock, a right fielder who is committed to Utah Valley. “I haven’t witnessed an athlete who worked harder.”
Brock played a key role in Fullerton beating Norco and Orange Lutheran on the final day of the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions. She doubled in a run in a 3-2 win against Norco — the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion at the time — and hit a three-run home run in a 9-2 victory against Orange Lutheran.
About a month later at the Carew Classic, Brock went 11 for 18 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in five games to power the Indians to a runner-up finish to Norco.
Brock’s performance include going 3 for 3 with a RBI double in a 1-0 win in the quarterfinals against eventual CIF SoCal Regional Division I champion Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista.
Fullerton lost to Cypress 4-2 in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs but Brock said working with her teammates for the signature wins and No. 1 ranking highlighted the season.
“We’ve been on the rise but this year it felt different,” said Brock, a two-year captain. “Everyone really wanted it.”
Brock credits the lower part of the Fullerton’s batting order for getting on base to present her with chances to drive in runs. The group, she said, included seniors Melia Vera and Andrea Montes De Oca.
Brock also drew some inspiration from a her half-sister Emma Lineback, a former Orange County player of the year in water polo for Laguna Beach.
The siblings connected for the first time just a few years ago. “She’s a great person to look up,” Brock said of Lineback, who now plays for the U.S. national team.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Liliana Escobar, JSerra, Senior
A clutch performer in the circle. An inspiring leader. A grateful champion.
JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar channeled all those qualities to lead her team to its first CIF-SS title.
The senior pitched five complete games in the Division 1 playoffs, including back-to-back shutouts. She delivered a gritty performance in the final that fueled teammates to play the same way. And she embraced a challenging journey that forged tight bonds.
For her performance and leadership, Escobar is The Register’s Orange County Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive softball season.
“She carried us,” JSerra third baseman Ava Van Heerde said of the Trinity League’s co-Pitcher of the Year. “We did it for our pitcher.”
JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar throws to home plate during the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game against La Mirada in Irvine on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar throws to home plate during the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game against La Mirada in Irvine on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar celebrates after throwing the final strike of the game as the Lions beat La Mirada 3-2 to win the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Irvine on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar, left, and catcher Annabel Raftery led the Lions to a 2-0 win against defending champion Norco in the CIF-SS Division 1 softball semifinals at Norco High on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JSerra’s Liliana Escobar, left, pitched a shutout and Annabel Raftery hit a home run for the game’s only run as JSerra beat Pacifica 1-0 in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Photo by Steve Fryer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JSerra softball pitcher Liliana Escobar is the Orange County girls athlete of the week for May 26, 2026. (Photo by Martin Henderson)
JSerra’s Liliana Escobar (#3) delivers a pitch against Norco, in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 softball semifinal game, at Norco High School in Norco, Ca. May 23, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
JSerra’s, Annabel Raftery, (#44), (L), Liliana Escobar, (#3), (R), celebrate after defeating Norco 2-0, in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 softball semifinal game, at Norco High School in Norco, Ca. May 23, 2026. The Lions advance to the championship game. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
Escobar capped a dominant campaign by escaping several jams to guide the Lions to a 3-2 win against La Mirada the final. She tossed a five-hitter with 12 strikeouts.
The University of Florida commit pitched consecutive three-hit shutouts in the quarterfinals and semifinals against Pacifica and defending champion Norco, respectively.
“She’s on another level,” JSerra coach Katie Stith said of Escobar, who finished 18-5 with a 1.28 ERA and school-record 264 strikeouts in 153 innings.
“(Our players) believe Liliana is going to keep them in (games). When you have a dawg like that on the pitching mound and you have someone with that kind of presence who is just a phenomenal teammate, the girls really want to compete for her.”
Escobar and JSerra (25-8) overcame their share of adversity.
She pitched most of this season wearing knee and ankle braces.
Escobar sat out her sophomore campaign at JSerra because of her transfer from Santa Margarita.
And last year, JSerra and Escobar lost in 10 innings to Los Alamitos in the Division 2 final.
The emotion of the trek surfaced after the Lions claimed the championship.
“I love my teammates and I couldn’t be happier to be a Lion,” Escobar said through tears. “I’m really grateful to play with my teammates.”
“I’ve definitely come a long way,” she added.
Mike Stith, Escobar’s travel coach with Batbusters, noticed the growth, especially in the final.
“She’s maturing,” he said. “Under pressure, you have to respond. You can’t get too clouded with anything and you have to lock-in, and she did that.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Katie Stith, JSerra
The rise of JSerra’s softball program under coach Katie Stith reached a new frontier.
In her eighth season, she guided the Lions (25-8) to several close wins in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs, including the first section title in school history.
Stith, The Register’s Orange County softball coach of the year, showed steady leadership in the postseason as JSerra won four one-run games and another by two runs. The team capped the surge with a 3-2 win against La Mirada in the finals.
JSerra also displayed resiliency after losing to Los Alamitos in a dramatic Division 2 final in 2025.
Stith built the championship squad around ace Liliana Escobar, strong defense and an improved offense.
JSerra signaled a breakout season in early March by reaching the finals of the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz. for the first time.
JSerra endured 11 consecutive losing seasons before hiring Stith, the daughter of legendary Orange County Batbusters travel coach Mike Stith.
“She puts a lot of work into this,” Mike Stith said of his daughter after the Division 1 final. “She’s built a program.”
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
Liliana Escobar, JSerra, Sr.: Orange County Pitcher of the Year
Pitcher: Katelynn Mathews, Fullerton, Jr.: The Empire League’s Pitcher of the Year posted a 14-2 record with a 1.92 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings. She is committed to Cal Baptist.
Pitcher: Lyla Morales, Santa Margarita, Jr.: The first-team All-Trinity League selection went 15-7 with 1.66 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 126 innings.
Pitcher: Mia Valbuena, Marina, Sr.: The Sunset League MVP went 18-5 with a 0.95 ERA and a Southern Section-leading 270 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings. The Michigan commit also hit .400 with 21 RBIs.
Catcher: Annabel Raftery, JSerra, So.: The first-team All-Trinity League selection hit a team-high .429 with 15 doubles and a single-season, school-record 12 home runs to help power the Lions to the CIF-SS Division 1 title.
First base: Mia Camacho, Whittier Christian, Jr.: The Rutgers commit led the CIF-SS Division 2 champion in batting average (.532), home runs (17) and RBIs (60). She tied Sunny Hills’ Elayna Marquez for the county home run title.
Infield: Sofia Hernandez, Whittier Christian, Sr.: The Olympic League MVP hit .527 with 23 extra-base hits, 34 RBIs and a 21-game hitting streak in the Heralds’ run to the CIF-SS Division 2 title. The third baseman signed with Arizona State.
Infield: Natalie Keith, Northwood, Sr.: The Pacific Coast League co-MVP hit nearly .750 in the Division 5 playoffs and played strong defense at shortstop as the Timberwolves claimed their first CIF-SS title. She is committed to Arizona.
Infield: Harper Vandermolen, Irvine, Sr.: The Pacific Coast League’s offensive MVP hit .564 with eight doubles, 15 home runs and 51 RBIs to lead the Vaqueros to the CIF-SS Division 6 title, their first since 1991. Vandermolen is committed to Bowling Green.
Outfield: Hayley Brock, Fullerton, Sr.: Orange County Player of the Year
Outfield: Shea Gonzalez, Villa Park, Sr.: The Freeway League MVP and Washington commit hit .504 with nine extra-base hits and 40 stolen bases to help lead the Spartans to a share of the league title. Villa Park reached the Division 3 quarterfinals.
Outfield: Alyssa Hernandez, La Habra, Sr.: The Crestview League co-MVP hit .376 with eight doubles, 12 home runs and 40 RBIs as the Highlanders claimed a share of the league title and reached the Division 1 semifinals for the first time. The Siena University commit also helped La Habra finish as the Division I runner-up in the SoCal regional.
Designated player: Tulutululelei Salue, Mater Dei, So.: The Trinity League’s Player of the Year hit about .470 with 12 home runs and 29 RBIs to lead the Monarchs to a runner-up finish in CIF-SS Division 2.
Utility: Rylee Silva, Orange Lutheran, So.: The Trinity League’s Co-Pitcher of the Year went 15-4 with 1.50 ERA as the Lancers claimed a sixth consecutive league title. She also hit .403 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.
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ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
P: Jaliane Brooks, Los Alamitos, So.
P: Ashley Driskill, El Modena, Sr.
P: Amanda Elkins, Aliso Niguel, So.
P: Citlaly Valencia, Mater Dei, Sr.
C: Parker Mayes, El Modena, Jr.
1B: Scarlett LaBriola, Santa Margarita, So.
Inf: Tia Hernandez, Cypress, Jr.
Inf: Hayden Huerta, Rosary, Jr.
Inf: Sierra Nichols, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
OF: Erin Denny, Los Alamitos, Jr.
OF: Mia Saenz, Canyon, Sr.
OF: Mattea Stern, Pacifica, Jr.
DP: Callie Kissell, Cypress, Fr.
Utility: Julianna Romero, Villa Park, Jr.
ALL-COUNTY THIRD TEAM
P: Samantha Cervantes, La Habra, Sr.
P: Luca Cifuentes, San Clemente, So.
P: Chach Stamper, Cypress, Jr.
P: Emily Yoon, El Dorado, So.
C: Tessa Cowsill, Aliso Niguel, Sr.
1B: Katerinna Rizos, Northwood, Jr.
Inf: Kaila Arakaki, Edison, Sr.
Inf: Bree Carlson, Huntington Beach, Jr.
Inf: K’lene Gutierrez, Rosary, Jr.
OF: Liliya Cartledge, Yorba Linda, Sr.
OF: Zena Edwards, JSerra, Sr.
OF: Kaylyn Yi, Fullerton, So.
DP: Elayna Marquez, Sunny Hills, Sr.
Utility: Carson Cruz, University, Sr.