HOLLISTER >> The Aptos High Mariners made another splash in the 2025 Central Coast Section softball playoffs Tuesday.

The No. 7 seed Mariners smacked 14 hits, including six for extra bases, in their latest postseason win, a 9-2 stomping of No. 6 Sobrato of Morgan Hill in the Division III semifinals at Hollister High.

The Mariners (17-7 overall), who pounded No. 2 Alisal 8-1 in its playoff opener over the weekend, now find themselves in uncharted territory. With their latest win, they advanced to their first section final in school history.

“It feels good,” said Phil Rojas, the Mariners’ 10th year head coach. “Getting the ‘W’ today was huge.

“We’re getting to the point of the season where you’re asking, ‘What more can I do in practice?’ We’ve been doing light fundamentals. I’m trying to keep it fresh.”

Fresh and refreshing. Rojas wanted to give his Mariners a break from the heat during practice last week, so he reserved the school’s pool for an hour for the kids to relax.

Despite the change of venue, the Mariners were still trying to showcase their arms.

“They got ahold of the water polo balls and were throwing them at each other,” Rojas said.

Rojas took a seat in the lifeguard’s chair overlooking the pool, and enjoyed watching the kids have fun.

“This is a good bunch of kids,” he said.

Rojas said his team works on hitting every day. The Mariners, the runner-up to rpeat champion Scotts Valley in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League, continue to reap the benefits of their hard work.

“It was a great team win,” Rojas said.

Senior shortstop Bailey Fulton led the way against Sobrato. She had three hits, two RBI, and scored three runs. Freshman Gwen Vaca had two hits, two RBI, and scored twice.

In total, six Mariners had multiple hits. Senior Lilly McGee and sophomore Emma Burgueno each had two hits, one RBI, and a run scored. Senior Kailani Aguayo had two hits and one RBI, and sophomore Kalina Healy had two hits and a run scored. Sophomore Nova Neu had one hit and two RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Mya Najera-White earned the complete-game win. She gave up four hits, five walks, and two earned runs over seven innings. She struck out six batters.

Junior Jordan Bouton led Sobrato on offense. She had a hit, one walk, and two RBI. Junior teammate Sunny Fernandez had two hits and scored a run for the Bulldogs (12-11), the fourth-place finisher in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mount Hamilton Division.

Junior pitcher Sam Zimmerman was tagged four nine runs, five earned, over four innings and took the loss.

Aptos looks to continue its stellar play in the next round. The Mariners will face either No. 4 Westmont (14-14) or No. 8 Mountain View (11-12) in Saturday’s championship. The final will be held at either San Jose City College or West Valley College in Saratoga. The start time in TBA.

The Warriors and Spartans square off in the other semifinal at MacDonald High in San Jose on Wednesday at 7 p.m.