The Fullerton softball team scored a whopping 51 runs in its first four Golden Empire League games this season, including consecutive shut-outs for the first three games and giving up only two runs in the 10-2 win against Sergerstrom on Friday, April 17.

On April 15, freshman Grace Kim, with three runs, three RBI and a home run, helped the Indians to a 21-0 win against Valencia.

The Indians also shutout Garden Grove 10-0 and Kennedy 10-0.

Senior outfielder Hayley Brock has led the offense with a .516 batting average, 6 home runs and 30 RBI. Sophomore Kaylyn Yi has also been strong with a .507 batting average and a .529 on-base percentage.

Although the Indians (21-2, 4-0) are off to a great league play start, the impressive story is what they’ve done with their non-league games this season.

This week the team is ranked No. 13 in the nation, No. 2 in California just behind No. 1 Norco and ranked No. 1 in CIF, Division 3. Earlier in the month, the Indians were No. 8 nationally and No. 1 in California. The team might continue to slip in overall rankings because the Golden Empire League (Kennedy, Valencia, Segerstrom, Garden Grove) might prove to be less competitive than the Indians’ pre-season match-ups.

The Indians went undefeated throughout the Michelle Carew Classic tournament at Peralta Park before losing 7-0 against the Norco Cougars (19-2, 5-0) in the championship game. The win pushed the Cougars into the No. 1 ranking over Fullerton.  Although the Tribe finished second, the team had strong performances and won against high level teams like Chino Hills (15-7, 2-1).

The Indians put in a lot of work during preseason. First baseman and pitcher senior Malaya Majam-Finch said that the team focused on keeping a high level of intensity with “game-like” practice and going in the weight room. 

“Mostly just high-intensity drills and practicing at game speed,” Majam-Finch said. “We also spent time in the weight room, which is good because we usually don’t go in there during the season.”

The Indians had their first league game against Garden Grove (4-13, 0-2) on April 9 with a 10-0 victory. They got ahead early on in the game, scoring one run in the first inning, and eight runs in the third which secured the win. 

Offensively, shortstop Soleil Luna went 2-for-2 with three RBI, a stolen base, and one run scored, helping out the team. Meanwhile, pitcher Analise Barrios delivered strike after strike, letting only three Garden Grove players hit throughout the game. She was helped by a strong defense that stopped Garden Grove from scoring. 

Earlier in the season, the Indians suffered a 5-0 loss to La Mirada (19-3, 2-1). Junior pitcher Katelynn Mathew said nerves were a factor. “We weren’t ready to play, and they were more prepared than us,” Mathew said.

Majam-Finch said the team went into the game too aggressively instead of taking their time.

“Probably slowing down and taking it one pitch at a time and not thinking about the whole inning or the whole game at once,” Majam-Finch said. 

The team responded to their loss by finishing the preseason with a nine-game winning streak. They ultimately ended it with a 4-0 win over Long Beach Poly (9-4, 6-2). 

Fullerton went into league play optimistic and ready to play. The team won its second league game 10-0 against Kennedy High School. The Indians scored in nearly every inning and constantly got runners on base. 

Brock went 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring twice, and got an RBI. Luna also succeeded in hitting her over-the-fence home run that boosted the team’s morale. 

Fullerton will play host to Garden Grove at 3:15 on April 24.