Norco Aims for Another Successful Season in Softball Prep Preview

Norco High Softball Team Aims for Repeat Championship in 2026 Season

With the mantra that defending a championship is often more challenging than earning it, head coach Rick Robinson and the Norco High softball team are poised to face a formidable season. Following an impressive 29-3 record and a Southern Section Division 1 title last spring, the Cougars are gearing up for the pursuit of back-to-back championships.

Entering the 2026 season with 728 career victories, Robinson recently celebrated his 731st win during a showcase hosted at Big League Dreams in Chino Hills. The Cougars clinched the title by defeating Orange Lutheran 2-1, thanks in large part to junior pitcher Coral Williams, who struck out 11 batters. Williams is coming off a stellar spring where she was named the Southern Section Division 1 player of the year, finishing the season with a perfect 17-0 record, a 0.59 earned run average, and 147 strikeouts.

In the semifinals, Oklahoma State signee Peyton May delivered a no-hitter against Aliso Niguel, recording 12 strikeouts in an eight-inning performance. Last year, May posted a 10-3 record with a 1.49 earned run average and 132 strikeouts over 80 innings.

On the offensive front, the Cougars are led by junior shortstop Leighton Gray, a Texas A&M commit. Gray garnered All-Southern Section honors as a sophomore, boasting a .435 batting average with 40 hits, eight home runs, and a .793 slugging percentage. Other key contributors include London Potter and catcher/first baseman Camryn May, the younger sister of Peyton May.

Robinson has a storied history with the Norco program, having guided the team to multiple section titles since taking over in 2000. His previous championships include titles in 2003, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2025, solidifying his position as one of the most successful coaches in the Southern Section with a record of eight section titles.

Among the teams anticipated to challenge Norco for supremacy is Orange Lutheran, ranked second in the Cal-Hi Sports preseason Southland top 20. While the Lancers will miss standout center fielder Kai Minor, who has moved on to Oklahoma, they return several strong players including second baseman Sierra Nichols and pitching aces Rylee Silva and UCLA signee Jo Marsh.

Competing for Orange County dominance is JSerra, currently off to a 2-0 start, bolstered by Florida-bound pitcher Liliana Escobar and sophomore Annabel Raftery, who excelled last season.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame boasts one of the standout all-around players in Aliyah Garcia, an Oklahoma State commit, and hopes to establish itself as a leading force in the San Fernando Valley.

Fullerton has emerged with a potent pitching duo in Katelynn Mathews and Analise Barrios, both multi-position players. Mathews recorded a 15-3 record last season, striking out 185 batters, while Barrios contributed to the team’s success with a 0.72 earned run average.

Despite a playoff exit last season, Oaks Christian remains a formidable player in Ventura County, returning key contributors including Utah State-bound shortstop Gianna Garcia and BYU-bound outfielder Terrianna Kelley.

Additionally, several other Southern Section teams are expected to build on their successes from the previous season, including the Division 1 runner-up El Modena and semifinalist Temescal Canyon, as well as Division 2 champion Los Alamitos and Division 3 champion Marina.

In the City Section, Granada Hills, which posted a 28-3 record last season, defeated Carson for the Open Division title. The Highlanders will be relying on the experience of All-City co-captains Zoe Justman and Elysse Diaz as they look to defend their title.

Players to Watch