Above, Bailey Costa bunts against Denair last week at MCHS. Left, Gillian Pioske gets the out at first as she catches a throw from Kylee Hutchings. The softball team is off to a hot start in league play, going 2-0. Photos by Amanda White
League action opened with a bang for the Mariposa County High School varsity softball team last week.
The Grizzlies and the Coyotes put on a show for the season opener on March 18 with MCHS walking away with the win 9-8.
This was a bounce back win for the Grizzlies as they lost to Denair only two weeks before.
“I think that the girls executed well in the league opener,” said coach Kiya Smith.
“There are few areas we can improve on, such as getting our bunts down and continuing to cut down on defensive errors but overall I am happy with their play. They continue to step up and impress me.”
Mikaylee Martin didn’t allow a single earned run over five innings pitched.
Martin has been consistent and hasn’t given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances.
Martin was also solid at the plate going 2-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a stolen base.
Tylie Allison has been consistent at the plate as she went 1-for-3 with two RBI, one run and one double.
Bailey Costa was another key player, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base, one run and one RBI.
“For the Denair game, we had two players who were out sick, which left us with a hole to fill, but the other girls all rallied together, rose to the challenge, got the job done offensively and defensively to pull off the win,” Smith said.
The Grizzlies preseason has prepared them well as they are off to a positive start in league.
After the showdown with Denair, MCHS visited the Hawks at Delhi on March 20 where they had a dominating win of 13-1.
The Grizzlies not only won but they posted their biggest win since May 14, 2025, when they won 19-3.
Allison struck out eight batters from the mound over five innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits and just walk.
Kallie Wass and Kylee Hutchings were major factors against Delhi.
Wass went 4-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs and three RBI, while Hutchings went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, four RBI and one run.
Brielle Martin got on base in three of her four plate appearances with one stolen base, one run and one RBI.
“We are in the mindset of defense wins championships and we are working to minimize the errors and play behind our pitchers,” explained Smith.
“In recent games, we have been cutting down on the errors we allow each game and we are working to continue on that path.”
The Grizzlies sat at 2-0 in league before hosting Gustine at MCHS on March 25.
Results were not available at press time.
Next up, the Grizzlies will face Waterford at MCHS on March 30.
Game time is 4 p.m.
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