END OF THE ROAD FOR the MARINERS - Santa Cruz Sentinel

CIF NORCAL REGIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS

END OF THE ROAD FOR the MARINERS

Aptos eliminated by host San Leandro in D-IV NorCal Regional semifinals

Aptos High center fielder Kailani Aguayo attempts a force out as San Leandro’s Mari Ramirez slides into second base during Friday’s CIF Division IV NorCal Regional semifinals.

Aptos High pitcher Mya Najera-White delivers against San Leandro during Friday’s Division IV NorCal Regional semifinals. PHOTOS BY RAUL EBIO — SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL

Aptos High shortstop Bailey Fulton and pitcher Mya Najera-White pump each other up on Friday.

Aptos High’s Izzy Baker makes contact against host San Leandro during the teams’ D-IV NorCal Regional semifinal.

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By Jim Seimas

jseimas@santacruzsentinel.com

SAN LEANDRO >> When Aptos High’s softball team arrived back at home Friday night, following an 11-3 season-ending loss to host San Leandro in the CIF Division IV NorCal Regional semifinals, it wasn’t just the end of another lengthy road trip. It was the end of an historic expedition.

Five road games and 660 miles after their playoff journey began, the low-seeded and travel-destined Mariners’ historic playoff run came to an abrupt end at windy Burrell Field.

In defeat, the youth-laden Mariners, who graduate just four senior starters, held their head high. And rightfully so.

After finishing in second place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League behind Scotts Valley, the Mariners (18-9 overall) became the first team in school history to reach a Central Coast Section final, doing so as the No. 7 seed in D-III. They also became the first team from Santa Cruz County to qualify for the regional playoffs, doing so with an at-large berth.Little was expected of the Mariners, again, the No. 7 seed, in NorCal play, and they went out and became the first county team to win a regional game Tuesday.

The exhausted Mariners didn’t run out of gas Friday, just postseason mojo.

“You know what? I’m satisfied,” said Phil Rojas, the Mariners’ 11th year head coach. “I’m happy for the kids. And I’m appreciative of everything they gave the program. It was a great season.”

The Mariners felt the same way. After the game, Aptos sophomore Kalina Healy and freshman Gwen Vaca headed to Los Angeles to compete in a travel-ball showcase, and the remainder of the Mariners boarded the team bus content. They’d given it their all.

“You couldn’t tell if they won or lost,” their coach said. “I think the kids are excited for summer again.”

Rojas met with his players after the game and thanked his seniors, including starters Bailey Fulton, Kailani Aguayo, Makenzie Lashley, and Lilly McGee, for their contributions.

“You put us on your back and took us to a place no one from Santa Cruz has been, softball-wise,” he told them.

Then, he turned to his returning core, and told them of a brighter future, one that’s obtainable with continued hard work: specifically, winning SCCAL and CCS titles in 2026 and returning to NorCal, hopefully, with a higher seed and less travel.

“I still want more,” Rojas said. “But there was some relief, too. The travel gets to you. But the players dealt with it; that’s not a problem.”

San Leandro’s offense made sure it was the end of the road for the Mariners. The Pirates recorded 11 hits, including five for extra bases. They scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a commanding 7-1 lead.

“They’ve got some big hitters,” Rojas said.

Marina Sacrey finished with two hits, including a double, three RBI, and scored a run for the Pirates (23-8). Isabella Lopez Puertas doubled, drove in three runs, and scored a run. Julianna Morales had three hits and scored a run. Jacella Onate had two hits, including a double, one RBI, and scored a run. Jade Orta had a walk, triple, and scored twice. Camryn Gilbert doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Yumiuz Cobbs and Marley Santos drew a combined six walks and each scored twice.

Sacrey, the winning pitcher, limited the Mariners to four hits in her complete-game outing. Sophomore Mya Najera-White took the complete-game loss.

Aguayo had two hits for the Mariners. Healy and junior Lanies Nunez also had hits. Fulton, despite having her eight-game hit streak snapped, drew a walk and scored twice, and sophomore Cassidy Levesque also scored a run. Emma Burgueno had her team’s lone RBI.

McGee and Vaca had their seven-game hit streaks come to a close.

Vaca was a force for the Mariners in the playoffs. She batted .470 (8 for 17) in the postseason.

“She’s going to be one to watch,” Rojas said. “Her work ethic is another level. She doesn’t stop. I’m excited about her; same with Kalina Healy.”

Fulton, who plans to play for Cabrillo College next season, batted .384 (five for 13) in four playoff games, and McGee batted .333 (six for 18) in five games.

Rojas said Fulton has a bright future at Cabrillo and beyond. “She’s the best shortstop I’ve ever had. We call her ‘ESPN.’ She’s got a Division I arm. She probably should be playing D-I. She’s a super good leader. I’m gonna miss her.”

San Leandro plays at No. 1 East Nicolaus (23-6) for the D-IV regional title Saturday at 4 p.m. The Spartans edged No. 4 Northgate of Walnut Creek 1-0 in the other semifinal.