Rams softball hopes title game appearance builds towards more success

When the Garces High softball team steps onto the field tonight at Margie Wright Diamond at Fresno State, there's going to be some new feelings for the young, yet experienced Rams players. And because of it there's optimism as the program returns to the spotlight.

The Rams are playing in the CIF Central Section Division 2 championship game against Visalia Redwood at 7 p.m. Garces, the division's No. 1 seed in 2026, is making its first appearance in a section title game since losing a 9-8 eight-inning decision to Hanford West in the 2013 Division 2 contest.

Kelly Olson, head coach of the program since 2016, has had a few good seasons, but the Rams have struggled more than not given a 125-141 overall record and a 35-81 performance in league play.

But things are definitely on the upswing for the Rams. Whereas the Rams went 0-12 in league just two seasons ago, last year, the program reached the Division 2 semifinals.

This year, Garces brings a 25-5 overall mark into the title game, an undefeated South Yosemite River League championship, a second go-around of playoff wins over league foes Centennial and Stockdale, and Olson has a roster to make any other coach in Kern County envious.

There are no seniors on the Rams roster. There's a bonafide player of the year candidate in sophomore left-handed pitcher Jaiden Gutierrez, an infield featuring co-captain junior first baseman Izzy Frye, that plays solid defensively, a sophomore catcher, Viviana Sanchez, who works seamlessly with Gutierrez, and an outfield that Olson believes is among the top units in the section.

"There have been moments when they've shown their youth, but for the most part, game in, game out, they play with much more experience than what their age says," Olson said. "There are times I realize I'm starting six sophomores, two juniors and a freshman. They are still young and I have to remember that."

Many Ram softball players are one-sport athletes, playing on high-level travel softball teams and have done so for years.

"When they play away from high school softball, a lot of these are college showcase tournaments and national tournaments. They play under pressure and they are used to it," Olson said.

Gutierrez, 16, has played since age 8. Frye, also 16, played for a 6-and-under team. Devoted to softball? Absolutely.

"I have a passion for the sport," Gutierrez said. She has a 19-5 record, 1.16 ERA, 164 strikeouts in 157 innings and has issued 11 walks in 28 appearances. "My mom played softball and my dad played baseball. Everyone told me I just had to roll with it. And, being left-handed, I needed to be a pitcher."

Frye enjoys the travel-ball world, too, and it has helped her bring that value back to Garces. She was on the Rams' 0-12 league team in 2024, (7-20 overall) and, because of the hard work she and her teammates have put in, the turnaround is welcomed.

"I think at Garces there's always been a little bit of doubt (in softball) because there's not been many championships," Frye said. "In travel ball there's always championship opportunities. But here, we've been practicing so hard since August to get to this moment. I think we've faced good competition this year. Every team we've battled has set us up for this moment."

Frye wasn't alive when Garces last won a Central Section Division 3 title, which came in 2008 against Kerman. It was under the direction of Mike D'Amato, who was the Rams' head coach prior to Olson. D'Amato, a well-respected veteran softball coach who died just last month, was also at the helm of Garces' 2013 title-game appearance.

Thirteen years later, Garces, with Gutierrez, Frye, Reese Bowles, Lila Gannaway, Giuliana Martinez, Brooklyn Castro, Mikaeyla Salinas, Evangeline Krause, Serenity Ward, Paige Dixon, Khloie Gallo, Belle Mendez and Zoey Venegas, they've bonded, and they have a confidence that shines based on what the Rams have done. There's now a chance to fully blossom.

"To have gone 0-12 and not make the playoffs to now we're going to play at Fresno State and play for the valley title. That's surreal," Frye said. "But it just shows what hard work and effort can do. We've put in the time and we've never given up."

Olson said he resonates with something John Fanucchi, a famed 1980s Garces football coach said. Although retired, Fanucchi remains visibly attached to the high school.

"He comes out to every one of our home games, and I have nothing but great respect for him," Olson said. "He sees me and says, ‘Kelly, your girls play for each other.' If there's anyone who would know about a team that plays unselfish and plays for each other, it would be him.

"That's probably the thing I'm most proud of is that their culture is strong and they play for each other," Olson said. "They want each other to do well. They want the team to do well."

Frye said there is an energy level the team maintains that is a difference-maker. It puts the group in a good space for games, certainly one as important as tonight's.

Team chemistry and trust lets everyone play a little looser and lessens the tension.

"It does relieve the pressure knowing that everyone has my back," Gutierrez said. "I can miss on a location and still be OK."

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