Vaqueros claim Opening Day victory

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 24, 2026

2026 East County Prep Softball

By Adam Paul

EL CAPITAN 2, CHRISTIAN 1 – In a long-standing tradition, the El Capitan Vaqueros took on the Christian Patriots to open the season, and thanks to a tie-breaking single by Addison Higuera in the sixth inning, the Vaqueros came away with the victory on Tuesday afternoon.

El Capitan senior ace Makenna Burton tossed a gem of an outing as she only allowed three hits and the lone first-inning run, along with a strikeout, to earn the complete-game victory.

For Christian, their lone run came in the top of the first inning on a ground ball out by Alyssa McCurty that allowed Pressly Villalva to plate.

Later in the bottom of the third inning, the Vaqueros would tie the game when Ciara Bernardini singled to left field, which brought home Sofia Simone.

Ava Barrios who started for the Patriots wouldn’t factor in the decision as she allowed one run on three hits while striking out three. McCurty who came into the game in relief would take the loss as she allowed the would be game winning run on three hits.

HELIX 11, FALLBROOK 0 (5 INN.) – Helix on Tuesday afternoon started out hot as they scored nine runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back as Vivienne Munoz, who started, earned the shutout win.

Both Amara Okafor and Ella Aguayo drove in a pair of runs for the Highlanders as the team pounded out eight hits.

Munoz in the circle for the Highlanders struck out three while allowing no hits in her two innings of work.