Remote Surveillance Trailer in La Habra, CA

The high school softball season officially begins Monday, Feb. 16.

Here is a look at the Top 10 teams in the San Gabriel Valley as the season begins:

1. LA MIRADA

2025 record: 25-5

The reigning Gateway League champions are the class of the area after reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals last season. They will be among the best teams in the Southern California area. The Matadores have junior pitcher Alison Ortega, a Harvard commit, in the circle. Junior catcher Riley Hilliard was named to the All-CIF-SS Division 1 first team and was the Gateway League MVP last season. She is committed to Oklahoma. Her sister, junior shortstop Reese Hilliard, is committed to Stanford. While not as deep as last season’s team, the Matadores have added sophomore Elizabeth Biado, a transfer utility player from Ayala. The Matadores also have three freshmen, third baseman Rylee Thurmond, second baseman Fatima Serna and outfielder Alanna Adams, ready to make an immediate impact. “After graduating 12 players, we will have a new look about us,” coach Brent Tuttle said. “This will be an exciting team to coach this year, and we are expecting the new faces to step up and compete.”

2. LA HABRA

2025 record: 22-8

The Highlanders were the second best team last year behind La Mirada. They went undefeated in the tough Freeway League and reached the second round of the Division 1 playoffs. They lost to Etiwanda, 3-1. The Highlanders return five Freeway League first-team selections, headlined by sophomore catcher Eliana Corona. She was the league MVP and an All-CIF-SS Division 1 first team selection last season. Corona was one of the Southland’s top freshmen, batting. 412 with eight home runs. Also back is top pitcher Madison Payne, who was 17-2 with a 1.47 ERA. The Highlanders also return three other players who were all-league selections last year: outfielder Alyssa Hernandez (eight home runs), senior Georgia Rickenbacker and sophomore Andrea Langenberg. They have two freshmen, pitcher Erica Marin and outfielder Ginger Rickenbacker, who could have an immediate impact. The Highlanders have moved to the Crestview League. “We are new to the Crestview League with expectations to win it and make a CIF appearance,” coach Vince Peralta said.

3. LA SERNA

2025 record: 18-11

The Lancers’ tough nonleague schedule paid off late last season. After finishing second to California in the Del Rio League, they marched to the Division 2 quarterfinals before losing to Los Alamitos 7-1. Coach Jason Clay’s squad has a loaded lineup. The Lancers return star shortstop Aubrie Baruch, a Cal State Fullerton commit and three-time, all-league first team selection. Third baseman Isabela Sanchez, a UC Santa Barbara commit, also returns, along with third baseman Emma Apadoca, a UC Riverside commit. The Lancers’ two young pitchers, sophomore Ava Jimenez and sophomore Ava Jimenez, were all-league last season. Also back is senior first baseman Candice Puig, second baseman Paulina Ortega, junior outfielder Mikaela Galicia, sophomore infielders Lexi Avila, Paisley Ojinaga and outfielder Madison Corral. “We have a great group of girls with great mix of veteran talent, experience and upcoming talent,” Clay said.

4. WHITTIER CHRISTIAN

2025 record: 21-8

The Heralds won’t have the dominant ace in the circle after the graduation of Bobbie Lozano, but they’re solid in every other spot after reaching the Division 2 quarterfinals last season. Third baseman Sophia Hernandez, an Arizona State commit and co-MVP of the Olympic League last season, batted .482 with 25 RBIs last season. Mia Camacho, a first baseman who is committed to Rutgers, returns after batting .420 with five home runs. Junior shortstop Gigi Bojorquez is committed to Southern Illinois University. Rylee Cull is committed to DePaul University after producing 28 RBIs last season. Outfielder Ali Plimpton, committed to Kent State, batted nearly .400 with 28 RBIs in 2025. Senior Bella Perez (Lipscomb University commit) batted. 328 last season. Sophomore catcher Valentina Stopani-Gonzalez is a transfer from Rosary Academy. Junior Sofia Gonzalez and freshman Abigail Rodriguez will share time in the circle.

5. CALIFORNIA

2025 record: 20-9

The Condors edged La Serna for the Del Rio League title and marched to the Division 2 quarterfinals, where they lost to Great Oak 8-3. The Condors rotated star pitchers Pricilla Ramirez and Isabella Salas last season, but with Ramirez now graduated, expect Salas to receive the bulk of the innings. She had 111 strikeouts in 82 innings and posted a 2.03 ERA. The Condors return several key players. Senior catcher Hailey Chavoilla is back after batting .304 with seven home runs. First baseman Shirley Acevedo returns after batting .352 with six home runs. Third baseman Bella Esparza hit .378 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. The Condors figure to battle La Serna for the league title. If Salas can stay healthy in the circle, they will have a chance against anyone.

6. BONITA

2025 record: 19-10

The Bearcats finished second in the Palomares League but their tough schedule helped them reach the Division 1 playoffs. They lost to Rosary in the first round. Their strength is their pitching. They return one of the best in the area in senior Serenity Reyes, who was 16-6 with a 1.96 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 2025. Junior Koa Puppe is back after earning all-league and All-CIF honors. Puppe had a .453 average, 11 home runs and 31 RBIs. Junior outfielder Leah Reynolds and sophomore catcher Laney Sweeney are back after both earned all-league honors last season. Junior shortstop Adrianna Mangini and senior Madi Arzate are key players for the team, along with junior pitcher Sara Yeats. “With a balance of youth and veteran players, we feel like we have the team that can battle against anyone on any given day,” Bonita coach Darren Baumunk said. “We expect to fight for a league championship and a deep run into the playoffs.”

7. LOS ALTOS

2025 record: 19-9

The reigning Hacienda League champions lost in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs last season. They return sophomore pitcher Kaylahni Duenas, who earned first-team, all-league honors in the Hacienda League. Duenas had 108 strikeouts in 104 innings. She can swing the bat too, having batted .400 with seven doubles and two home runs. Three juniors, catcher Jasmine Campos, second baseman Esme Soto and third baseman Hannah Vargas, were all-league first-team selections in 2025. Los Altos has added Bishop Amat transfer Bianca Rojo at first base. The Conquerors also have several talented freshmen, including shortstop Aaliyah Zamano, who is expected to be one of their top hitters. Other top freshmen include center fielder Payton Godinez, utility Veida Aikey, Aaliyah Lara and Mikayla Salcedo. “We have a young and exciting team,” coach Lydell McCullough said. “To get them ready, we have put together the toughest schedule we have ever had here at LA.”

8. SOUTH HILLS

2025 record: 16-9-1

The Huskies were disappointed to finish second in the Hacienda League behind Los Altos last season and were eliminated by Los Alamitos in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs. Coach Jesse Mendez is looking forward to a bounce-back season. The team has two strong girls in the circle to help him do that. Senior Parker Milton, an all-league selection last season, returns along with Anaiyah Jimenez, who transferred from Bishop Amat during the season last year but did not play. Jimenez, who was dominant when she played at Amat, is a University of San Diego commit. The Huskies also return the reigning league MVP, Charli Moreno, a University of Washington commit. She batted .506 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs. Also returning is senior catcher Briana Chavez, a second-team all-league selection who is committed to Azusa Pacific. Briana Sanchez, Kayla Avellaneda, Giuliana Najera and Jaselle Mendoza bring experience to the lineup. Newcomers like freshman Emily Hernandez and sophomores Roxy Chavez and Avery Hippolito are expected to provide an impact. “We have a tough schedule and want to compete at the highest level,” Mendez said. “I want to challenge our girls so they can reach maximum potential.”

9. CHARTER OAK

2025 record: 16-1

The Chargers were undefeated in the regular season a year ago, but lost in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs. They were beaten by Huntington Beach, 8-7. The heart and soul of that team, the Diebert sisters, are back. Junior pitcher Leila Diebert had a 1.07 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 59 innings last season. She also was the team’s top hitter, batting. 578 with seven home runs. Senior outfielder Mikayla Diebert was dominant too, batting .575 with 21 RBIs and seven doubles. The Chargers return senior first baseman Shae McMorrow, second baseman Sophia Oritz and outfielder Deanna Moreno. Three freshmen, infielder/outfielder Skylar Wright, catcher Cerrina Castillo and pitcher Sophia Saavedra, are expected to make major contributions. Coach Stacy Natividad returns as Charter Oak’s head coach after taking a year off. Charter Oak is the favorite to win the Valle Vista League title.

10. SONORA

2025 record: 17-10

The Raiders turned it on at the end of last season, reaching the second round of the Division 2 playoffs, where they lost to JSerra 5-3 in nine innings. The Raiders graduated both of their starting pitchers on last year’s team. The Freeway League should be tough again and the Raiders have another challenging schedule. But they are used to all of that. Junior shortstop Samantha Jaimes is back, joined by two other talented juniors in center fielder Aliana Pacheco and third baseman Olivia Rosales. Pacheco is arguably the top returning hitter after batting. 355 with 12 RBIs. Junior Amelia Herbert, a transfer from Sunny Hills, has been added to the lineup. Sophomore Ashlyn Pantages, who plays second base, is hoping to take a big step forward after a strong freshman season. “We are hoping to compete in a tough league without any senior leadership although my juniors are doing great,” coach Michelle Rodriguez said. “Needless to say, we are young.”

The San Gabriel Valley high school softball Top 20 rankings.

SGV SOFTBALL TOP 10

(Team records are through Sunday, March 15.)

1. LA MIRADA (10-2)

The Matadores took a week off after finishing third in the top division of the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Arizona. Their only loss in the tournament was to JSerra, 5-2, in the semifinals. They have home games this week against Segerstrom and Valley Christian.

Previous: 1

2. LA HABRA (11-2)

The Highlanders have won six straight since a 4-3 loss to Pacifica. They have recent wins over Gahr 13-3 and Segerstrom 11-0. Senior Alyssa Hernandez has three home runs and 10 RBIs, and sophomore Eliana Corona has three home runs, two doubles and nine RBIs.

Previous: 2

3. CALIFORNIA (6-2)

The Condors’ best performance of the season came in a 5-4 loss in nine-innings to Etiwanda, one of the top teams in Southern California. They opened Del Rio League action with an 18-0 win over El Rancho in five innings. Senior pitcher Alexis Lalas gave up one hit with six strikeouts.

Previous: 3

4. BONITA (11-3)

The Bearcats won a thriller over rival San Dimas, 13-12, then knocked off Beckman 12-0. They have smashed 17 home runs. Junior Sara Yeats has five HRs, and junior Koa Puppe has four. They open Palomares League play on Wednesday against Diamond Bar.

Previous: 4

5. GLENDORA (9-0-2)

The Tartans are the area’s only undefeated team. They earned strong wins last week against Yucaipa 5-3 and Capistrano Valley 4-2. Senior pitcher Gianna Messick (6-0, 1.81 ERA) and freshman Emma Garcia (2-0, 1.27) have led the way. Garcia has 46 strikeouts in 33 innings.

Previous: 8

6. LA SERNA (5-3)

After six tough nonleague games, the Lancers began Del Rio League action with an 11-3 win over El Rancho and 7-3 victory over Santa Fe. They have a big game Tuesday at home against California.

Previous: 7

7. ARCADIA (10-1-1)

Apaches senior pitcher Samantha Almaraz has been incredible. She is 4-0 with a 0.19 ERA in 37 innings with 57 strikeouts. They earned a 4-4 tie against Glendora and routed Hoover and Pasadena to open the Pacific League.

Previous: 16

8. WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (8-6-1)

The Heralds have struggled in the circle, partly due to tough competition. But it’s hard to win consistently with a team ERA of 5.92. Their offense has been prolific. Sofia Hernandez, an Arizona State commit, is batting .465 with 19 RBIs and two home runs. The Heralds have 17 homers.

Previous: 5

9. LOS ALTOS (4-4)

After starting out 0-4, the Conquerors have won four straight, which includes blowout wins over Walnut 16-0 and Rowland 17-2. They have four freshmen who are all batting over .330. Sophomore Kaylahni Duenas has been outstanding in the circle and at the plate.

Previous: 9

10. GANESHA (3-1)

Not a lot of games to evaluate, but all you need to know is the Giants battled powerful Etiwanda close in a 9-8 loss. The Giants pounded Claremont, 14-1. Junior Laci Vantuinen has three home runs.

Previous: Not ranked

The Next 10: 11. St. Paul (7-3); 12. Northview (9-5); 13. Charter Oak (7-3); 14. South Hills (8-7); 15. Maranatha (10-3); 16. Muir (6-1); 17. San Dimas (8-5); 18. Bishop Amat (6-6); 19. Schurr (9-4); 20. South El Monte (4-0-1).

El Moro Churrería, Mexico City’s nearly 100-year-old iconic churrería, is set to open a new location in La Habra at 1327 W Whittier Boulevard.

The company’s third Southern California location will replace Smoke and Fire Social Eatery in the La Habra Towne Center, next to Northgate Market, according to a recent plan check that James Gomez first reported. While an exact opening date has not been confirmed, customers can expect El Moro’s signature blue-and-white logo and its menu of freshly fried, cinnamon-dusted churros, served individually or in boxes of four or one dozen. The cafe will also offer mini churros, specialty drinks, and a dipping trio with chocolate, hazelnut, cajeta, condensed milk, or a seasonal flavor.

El Moro first opened in Mexico City in 1935, founded by Francisco Iriarte, who brought his churro recipe from Spain. The business quickly became a cultural staple, with its original store at Avenida San Juan de Letrán welcoming locals and international visitors alike. After Francisco’s passing, his brothers José, Santiago, and Ignacio continued the family operation, maintaining the tradition of artisan churros and chocolate.

In the United States, El Moro launched its first store in Costa Mesa’s Mercado Gonzalez Market, followed by a location in Echo Park, Los Angeles, which opened earlier this year. The La Habra location will expand the brand’s presence in Southern California, offering customers a taste of authentic Mexican churros and beverages outside of its established California markets.

El Moro’s menu centers on its 100-percent vegan churros, crafted from traditional recipes dating back to 1935. Customers can also enjoy hot or iced chocolate made with pure cacao from Tabasco, Mexican iced lattes, cafe de olla spiced coffee, and seasonal milkshakes. The cafe emphasizes artisanal preparation and classic flavors, preserving its nearly century-old legacy.

The San Gabriel Valley high school softball Top 20 rankings.

SGV SOFTBALL TOP 10

(Team records are through Sunday, March 8.)

1. LA MIRADA (11-2)

The Matadores finished third in the top division of the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Arizona. They had wins over Whittier Christian 14-0 and Fullerton 5-0. They also defeated Pacifica, 8-5, in the third-place game after losing to JSerra, 5-2, in the semifinals. They can beat any team on any given day.

Previous: 1

2. LA HABRA (9-2)

The Highlanders played well in the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions, going 5-1 in their six games. They avenged their only loss, to Pacifica 4-3, when they met a second time in the tournament, winning 8-5. They finished the tournament with a 7-6 win over Los Alamitos.

Previous: 3

3. CALIFORNIA (5-1)

The Condors lost to a talented Gahr squad, 2-1, then rebounded to defeat Sunny Hills, 8-5. The good news is that they have two elite pitchers in the circle and are scoring enough runs to compete with any team on their schedule. They’re looking like the Del Rio League favorites.

Previous: 2

4. BONITA (9-3)

The Bearcats showed they can compete with some of softball’s best during the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions. They lost three of their last four, but those losses came against JSerra 4-1, Torrance 5-3 and Chino Hills 7-3. They wins over Whittier Christian 8-5 and Arizona’s Mountain View, 10-3.

Previous: 5

5. WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (6-4-1)

The Heralds struggled against top teams in the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Arizona, losing to La Mirada 14-0, Bonita 8-5, and O’Connor 11-1. Still, they have strong wins on their resume. We know they’re a top-five team in the area.

Previous: 4

6. ST. PAUL (7-1)

The Swordsmen opened the Del Rey League with a 14-0 win over Bishop Montgomery. They have won six straight and are getting strong pitching from Robyn Guitron. The transfer from Keppel has a 0.76 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 36 innings.

Previous: 7

7. LA SERNA (3-3)

All six of the Lancers’ games have come against top competition. The wins are impressive, as they beat Mission Viejo 1-0 and Sonora 14-13. Two of the losses were to La Habra and Whittier Christian. They will battle California for the Del Rio League title.

Previous: 6

8. GLENDORA (5-0-2)

The Tartans are undefeated through seven games and have notched victories over San Dimas 6-1 and JW North 7-1. They have a 2-2 tie with Santa Fe and a 2-2 tie with Arcadia. It’s not a daunting schedule, but the results are impressive.

Previous: Not ranked

9. LOS ALTOS (3-4)

The Conquerors have too much talent to be a sub.-500 team. They’re starting to heat up with three straight wins, and they are the Hacienda League favorites. But they have struggled against elite teams, losing four of five step-up games. Their lone win against step-up competition was a 5-2 victory over Gahr in eight innings.

Previous: 9

10. BISHOP AMAT (5-5)

The Lancers lost four of their last five games in the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions. They’re not among the elite teams in the area, however. They opened the Dave Kops with a 2-1 win over South Hills. They will likely battle St. Paul for the Del Rey League title.

Previous: 8

The Next 10: 11. Maranatha (7-1); 12. Charter Oak (4-3); 13. San Dimas (6-2); 14. Muir (5-0); 15. Sonora (4-4); 16. Arcadia (4-1-1); 17. Diamond Bar (4-2); 18. Northview (6-4); 19. Schurr (7-4); 20. South Hills (4-7).