La Habra softball hits three home runs to beat Pacifica, tighten league race
By Dan Albano, The Orange County Register The Tribune Content Agency
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La Habra players celebrate their victory over Pacifica following a Crestview League game between the two teams in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra second baseman Milee Valencia, left, tags out Pacifica shortstop Serena Antillonin before throwing to first for the attempted double play during a Crestview League game La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra's Georgia Rickenbacker hits the ball during a Crestview League home game against Pacifica in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pacifica shortstop Serena Antillon can't quite hold onto a pop fly during a Crestview League game against La Habra in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra first baseman Rylee Gruener scoops the ball out of the dirt just in time to get out Pacifica infielder Mikella Carey during a Crestview League game in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra starting pitcher Madison Payne throws to home plate during a Crestview League game against Pacifica in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra outfielder Georgia Rickenbacker slides safely into third base, avoiding a tag from Pacifica third baseman Shay Kletke, during a game between the two teams in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra starting pitcher Madison Payne throws to home plate during a Crestview League game against Pacifica in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra first baseman Rylee Gruener catches the ball in time to get out Pacifica outfielder Jenna Valladares during a Crestview League game in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra third baseman Mireya Gonzalez dives for a ground ball, but can't quite reach it, during a Crestview League game against Pacifica in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pacifica relief pitcher Kenzie Bledl throws to home plate during a Crestview League game against La Habra in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra outfielder Georgia Rickenbacker, right, slides safely into second base, avoiding a tag from Pacific shortstop Natalie Pacheco, during a Crestview League game in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pacifica relief pitcher Kenzie Bledl throws to home plate during a Crestview League game against La Habra in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra players welcome Mireya Gonzalez back to home plate after she hit a home run during a victory over Pacifica in a Crestview League game in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra relief pitcher Samantha Cervantes throws to home plate in the top of the seventh inning, securing the last two outs for a Highlanders victory, during a Crestview League game against Pacifica in La Habra on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
La Habra softball players, from left, Alyssa Hernandez, Mireya Gonzalez and Eliana Corona hit home runs in a 7-1 win against visiting Pacifica in the Crestview League on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LA HABRA - La Habra's softball team knew moving into a league that produced two of the past three CIF-SS Division 1 champions and a Division 1 runner-up would be a challenge.
On Tuesday, the Highlanders continued to show that they have the hitting, competitiveness and resolve to contend.
Eliana Corona, Alyssa Hernandez and Mireya Gonzalez each hit home runs as La Habra defeated visiting Pacifica 7-1 to complete a three-game sweep of the Mariners in the tight Crestview League race.
"We just knew coming into league we would have to really give it our all," said Corona, who hit a two-run home run in the first inning. "It felt really good to (sweep) and it definitely boosts our confidence."
La Habra improved to 18-7 overall and 6-5 in the Crestview League. The Highlanders, who are ranked No. 10 in Orange County, trail first place El Modena (14-12, 6-4) by half-a-game.
No. 3 Pacifica (15-10, 5-5) slipped into a tie for third place with Cypress (15-10, 5-5). Both teams are 1 1/2 games ahead of Canyon (15-10, 3-6).
"The league is really tight right now, all five teams," said La Habra coach Vince Peralta, whose team closes league at Canyon on Thursday. "It's going to come down to the last games."
"It's very important for us to get that win (Thursday) so we can finish at 7-5," the second-year coach added. "It could go 7-5 for league champs."
Georgia Rickenbacker added a RBI single for La Habra in first and finished 4 for 4.
In the second inning, Hernandez launched a three-run home run to push the lead to 6-0. The Sienna College commit drove in leadoff hitter Makenna Caffrey (2 for 4) and Corona with her 10th home run.
Gonzalez, who is committed to Connecticut, capped the Highlanders' scoring with a home run to the opposite field in the fourth.
La Habra excelled in the circle and on defense for a well-rounded victory against Pacifica, the Division 1 champion in 2023-24.
Pitcher Madison Payne scattered nine hits - all singles - and allowed run in 6 1/3 innings.
Shortstop Andrea Langenberg threw out speedy Mattea Stern at the plate in the first with a slick tag applied by Corona. Second baseman Milee Valencia made a diving grab in the second and first baseman Rylee Gruener ended the game with an unassisted double play.
"We have a good chemistry with each other," Hernandez said of her team, which won the Freeway League last season with a 12-0 record. "It's a privilege to be in this (league) with all these great players."
"Since my freshman year to my senior year, we've improved so much," she added. "We've created a name for ourselves."
La Habra entered Tuesday on a two-game losing streak, including a walk-off loss against El Modena.
"We always bounce back," Gonzalez said. "We have a lot of trust in each other to be able to play these tough teams and beat them."
Stern had two hits in her return from a concussion. Natalie Pacheco and Serena Antillon also each had two hits for the Mariners, who struggled on defense.
Pacifica plays host to Cypress on Thursday.
"It's just competitive," Mariners coach Tony Arduino said of the league.
El Modena, the CIF-SS Division 1 runner-up last season, beat Cypress 2-0 in another league game Tuesday.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 8:58 PM.
