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Santee 10U Gold defeats record field
- Updated: July 6, 2026
Santee Gold 10U following their championship win.
2026 YOUTH SOFTBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
SANTEE — More than 50 teams entered the 2026 Southern California “B” State Championship. None of them could defeat Santee 10U Gold.
Santee completed an unbeaten run through the July 3-5 tournament in Irvine and Tustin, capturing the state championship in what coach Jason Wingerter described as the largest Southern California state tournament ever conducted at the age level.
The tournament featured 54 teams from across Southern California, including several of the region’s strongest girls’ softball programs.
Santee defeated Bonita Valley Melton Gold, 4-3, on championship Sunday to reach the title round. The teams met again in the championship game, with Santee finishing the job and securing the state banner against their championship rivals.
The championship followed three demanding days in which Santee defeated Orange Canyon, WAGS Gold, FHS Quezada, Poway Diamonds, Ventura Gold and Bonita Valley.
The team outscored its first five opponents by a combined 40-6 before surviving the one-run semifinal against Bonita Valley.
Wingerter credited more than talent for the championship run. He pointed to a combination of committed players, a dedicated coaching staff and families who supported the team throughout a season that included more than 70 consecutive days of practices and games.
“You have to have a great group of young athletes, an amazing group of coaches and the best parents in the world,” Wingerter said.
Wingerter also coaches his daughter, Addie, one of the team’s pitchers.
The coaching staff’s approach extends beyond pursuing wins. Wingerter said the coaches emphasize softball intelligence, independent decision-making and learning from mistakes.
“We teach the girls IQ,” Wingerter said. “We want them to be able to make decisions on their own. We give them all the skills and all the tools so they can grow into softball players that will take them further.”
Head coach Michelle Beck said the team’s determination and willingness to support one another helped separate Santee from the field.
The players learned to move beyond mistakes rather than allowing one difficult play or at-bat to affect the rest of a game. That resilience became especially important during the championship rounds, when the margin for error narrowed against the tournament’s strongest remaining teams.
Assistant coach David Costa praised the players’ commitment throughout the extended all-star season and the work required to remain together through more than two months of nearly continuous activity.
Santee’s roster included Amira in center field; Charlotte in the outfield; Aria at shortstop; Peyton in left field; Malia in right field; Quinn at second base; Addie at pitcher; Audrey at third base; Marlo at pitcher and first base; Harlan in left field; Bridget at catcher; and Taylor in left field.
